Paul Merson says Pierre Emerick Aubameyang's Chelsea career is over after Graham Potter 'broke unwritten rule'

Paul Merson has claimed that Pierre Emerick Aubameyang's Chelsea career is all but over after his recent struggles to find top form.

Aubameyang left Barcelona for Stamford Bridge in the summer but the former Arsenal striker has struggled to rediscover his best football.

In 15 appearances for the club, he has only managed three goals.

Last week, Aubameyang was subbed on to replace the injured Raheem Sterling five minutes into the clash against Manchester City.

However, he failed to get into the game and was brought off in the 68th minute for youngster Omari Hutchinson.

On Sunday, Chelsea faced City again but Aubameyang was left out of the squad altogether, casting doubt over his future with the Blues.

Former Arsenal player and Sky Sports pundit Merson has now declared Aubameyang’s Chelsea career over and stated that manager Graham Potter broke an unwritten rule.

He said: “Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was taken off after coming on as a substitute in the first game against Man City and I think he will now be moved on. I think they will cut their ties with him.

“As soon as you are sub-subbing a 30-something player, I think that is probably the end. Maybe you can get away with it with a younger player, but in football it's one of those unwritten rules. It's a don't-do. But Potter did it with him at 33 and, for me, I think he's done.”

Merson also outlined a problem with Chelsea’s recruitment process.

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He continued: “It's an example of why recruitment is such a big problem for Chelsea. They have brought a couple of players in already and it looks like they are going to have a go in the transfer window. They have to. The top four looks very far away right now but there's a long way to go.”

The fact that Chelsea have already brought in David Fofana and are closing in on a loan deal for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix could mean Aubameyang may move elsewhere before transfer deadline day.

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