Topics: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Chelsea, Premier League, England, Football
Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reacted to Blues manager Graham Potter dropping him from his Champions League squad, according to stunning reports.
Potter was left in a precarious situation with his Champions League squad after Chelsea’s influx of January signings, including marquee transfer Enzo Fernandez.
Chelsea previously submitted 24 players in their 25-man Champions League squad ahead of their Group E matches against AC Milan, RB Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb.
Champions League organisers UEFA set out rules for clubs to register their new January transfer signings on List A before its 2nd February deadline.
Advert
The rules left Potter with only one vacant spot in his 25-man Chelsea squad, with other players needing to be axed for him to add more January signings to his list.
Chelsea have since added three January signings -- Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix and Fernandez -- to their squad at the cost of Aubameyang being cut from the 25-man Champions League list.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Aubameyang was ‘disappointed’ and ‘shocked’ at the decision from Potter to axe him from the next round of the Champions League.
Aubameyang, who was signed from Barcelona for £10.3m last summer, scored twice and assisted once during Chelsea’s Group E matches in the Champions League.
READ MORE:
Potter on Thursday hinted that there could be “awkward questions and conversations” awaiting him ahead of Chelsea’s final Champions League squad dropping.
“We’ve got a bit of time before we have to make the decision, but we’re aware of who we need to speak to,” he said.
“There’s going to be a few awkward questions and conversations and that’s the reality of where we are because only 11 can play, only a certain amount can be in squads so there’s always going to be players that are disappointed.
“It’s about being as honest and open and respectful and transparent as you can, and creating an environment where you respect the fact that people want to play, that players want to compete and help the team, but they have to wait and be patient and be ready to play, perform and help us win.”
