Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has recalled his time spent training with Ronaldo Nazario at AC Milan ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash against the Serie A holders.
The Stamford Bridge club are currently bottom of Group E after one defeat and one draw from their opening two games. Now, they face their toughest opponents within the group, AC Milan, back to back.
New boss Graham Potter recorded his first win as manager on Saturday after a spirited come back victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Summer signing Aubameyang opened his account against Palace with a superbly taken equaliser. The Gabon international will hope that goal will ignite his Chelsea career.
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Ahead of the match against his former side, Aubameyang spoke about the time he spent training with Brazilian superstar, Ronaldo.
The former Arsenal captain claimed that although he was ‘a bit fat’ he was still the best around.
He said, per The Sun: “The team was really strong, to tell the truth.
“Ronaldo, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta… at that time I was very young.
“I was just trying to improve and looking at him to learn as much as I could. To tell the truth, he was a bit fat by then! But he was still the best.
“I will always remember when Carlo Ancelotti had a go at him about his fitness, he said, ‘What do you want me to do, run or score goals?”
Aubameyang added: “Ancelotti said, ‘score goals’, and the next time Ronaldo scored twice!
“That is part of the character and as a striker you need that because you have to be strong mentally.”
It was a much needed victory for Chelsea and a confidence boosting goal for Aubameyang.
The striker said: “It’s a long time [since my last Premier League goal].
“But I am really happy to get back to the Premier League with a goal today.
“When you are a striker you just want to get that first goal as soon as possible and it came so I am really happy.”
Potter also heaped praise on his no.9 after the match.
He said: “He’s had a difficult summer for different reasons.
“He’s had a quite traumatic experience that can affect you, I think, and the way he has handled himself has been A1 I would say.
“So I’m really happy for him to get a goal and contribute to a win.”
Topics: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ronaldo Nazario, Chelsea, AC Milan
Marcus Chan