Player News: Chelsea summer signing in Italy amidst squad exile

Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in Italy amidst squad exile

According to Metro, via a series of Instagram uploads, Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is seen playing friendly matches in Italy amidst continuous support from the squad at Stamford Bridge.

The 33-year-old has not featured for the Blues since coming on late against Liverpool at Anfield last month. He has not featured in the last four match-day squads, which is certainly not the situation we envisaged when he arrived from Barcelona to SW6 last summer.

That added to the fact that he was omitted from the Champions League squad for the knockout stages, it seems as if there is no connection between him and manager Graham Potter.

MLS side Los Angeles FC were keen on signing him on loan till the end of this season. But, the former Arsenal striker decided to stay and fight for his place at Chelsea.

With what we have witnessed, Aubameyang is not even in the same country as the rest of the squad preparing for a tough Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The Gabon international has had a tough time since arriving at the club on the deadline day of the last summer window. He has only scored three goals in 17 appearances in all competitions.

Seeing him in Italy, does he want to go back there on a professional level, having spent some time as an AC Milan player more than a decade ago? His game would suit Serie A as well.

It is more or less clear that Aubameyang’s future as a Chelsea player is done, barring a miracle. It would be sensible for both parties to part ways in the summer.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea target Victor Osimhen opens the door for a possible summer exit from Napoli
• Chelsea set to battle Tottenham for Brighton striker Evan Ferguson
• Richard Keys urges Chelsea to replace Graham Potter with Jose Mourinho

The Blues should be focusing on offloading him from their books rather than playing hardball on the transfer fee. After selling him, the club must put their energy into signing a striker. Victor Osimhen is linked and he has not closed the door on an exit in the summer.