London. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been left out of the Chelsea and Champions League squad.
While his teammates faced Fulham, the striker made his debut at Milan.
– It’s a free world, says Graham Potter and adds that the player handled the situation like a pro.
Chelsea could only sign three new players to the squad for the Champions League and needed to make a place.
Due to several new signings, Graham Potter chose to sacrifice Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Then the striker was absent from the squad for the league meeting with Fulham.
After the match ended goalless, Potter suggested it was “bad luck” rather than Aubameyang doing anything special to deserve a nod.
He didn’t do anything wrong at all. The coach says it’s unfortunate for him but he will fight for his place for the rest of the season.
“You were a great guy”
Aubameyang’s entourage was more upset by the announcement that no European matches would be held for the 33-year-old. However, Kai Havertz, Armando Bruja, Joao Felix, Hakim Ziyech and Mykhailo Modric are also on the list.
The other three include Wesley Fofana, N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic, although the trio are likely to miss some play-off matches starting against Dortmund on February 15.
It was my decision, a tough one, but someone has to make it. I am sympathetic so of course I understand his disappointment. But I have that responsibility, to make decisions and communicate them as honestly as possible and then respect the fact that he’s disappointed.
Potter thinks the player handled the news in a good way.
He was great in training today. He was a real cool guy to us. But anything is possible, as long as he works hard and trains like he did today. In football, things can change quickly.
He is expected to return on Monday
Instead of watching the game at Stamford Bridge, Aubameyang opted to travel to Milan on Friday afternoon. When asked about this, Graham Potter shrugged indifferently.
– Potter said he trained today, trained well, and had a weekend off, adding that he is expected back on Monday.
Graham Potter wasn’t too happy with Chelsea’s attacking play on Friday night. However, he paid tribute to Premier League first-choice player Enzo Fernandes, who arrived a few days earlier from Benfica and cost more than SEK 1.2 billion.
Act great. It was a tough match, Potter says, but you can see his qualities and what he’s going to achieve.