Expert issues emphatic Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang claim amid journalist’s Chelsea update
Noel Whelan has backed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to be a “deadly” option for Chelsea as they look to wrap up a deal in the final days of the window.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Thomas Tuchel could extract the best out of the 33-year-old thanks to the duo’s time together at Borussia Dortmund.
According to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein (19 August), Chelsea have submitted a proposal of £15million plus left-back Marcos Alonso for the signing of Aubameyang.
The report claims the Gabon international is happy at Barcelona – but a move to Stamford Bridge is his top priority should he leave the Nou Camp.
The former Arsenal star notched 79 strikes in 95 outings under current Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel at Dortmund – and has scored 68 goals in 128 Premier League outings.
Whelan insisted Aubameyang’s public fall-out with Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium doesn’t mean he is a “bad egg”.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “He’s someone that has already got a great relationship with Tuchel.
“We know things were tetchy between him and Arteta towards the end, but that doesn’t mean he is a bad egg.
“Tuchel knows him very well and can get the best out of him, and most importantly – the thing Chelsea are missing the most is that natural number nine.
“We know he scores goals; he has done everywhere he has been.
“They’ve got the players to put in and around him to make sure he is deadly in front of goal – and he is the missing piece of the puzzle for Chelsea.
“Aubameyang would be a fantastic buy, especially for that fee.”
In other news, Premier League starlet told to reject Chelsea offer after new source reveal.