By Frank McAvennie

6th Feb, 2023 | 9:43am

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to be 'shipped out' of Chelsea amid 'huge' claim - pundit

Frank McAvennie has insisted Graham Potter made a “big statement” by removing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the Chelsea Champions League squad.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker insisted Aubameyang “won’t hang around” at Stamford Bridge.

The London club revealed their UCL squad on Friday (3 February) and the 33-year-old was omitted from the team for their knockout stage games this month.

As quoted by Sky Sports (3 February), the Blues boss said that it was a “tough decision” to leave out the striker and insisted he as done “nothing wrong”.

Potter added that the decision was nothing against Aubameyang.

Recent arrivals Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix were all added to the squad.

When asked if Aubameyang’s time at Chelsea is up, McAvennie told Football Insider: “A player like Aubameyang is not going to want to hang around.

“He was an Arsenal boy then he went to Chelsea and it has not worked.

“[Thomas] Tuchel knew him and knew how to get the best out of him but Potter has not got time to wrap cotton wool around players. He has got to get it right.

“People are saying he is out of depth but I think he will get things right. It is a huge squad he has got now and that is a statement in itself.

“It shows that he can handle the big players because he just drops them. That is a big statement, he has dropped somebody that can score goals.

“He sees him every day in training. He will know if his attitude is right and if it is not he will ship him out.“

In other news, a pundit has suggested Premier League clubs could have big Chelsea ‘problem’ as UEFA loophole closed.