Thursday’s transfer Deadline Day saw a host of deals completed and arguably the biggest in terms of profile was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move from Barcelona to Chelsea.
After allowing Romelu Lukaku to re-join Inter Milan on loan and Timo Werner to re-join RB Leipzig, it was no secret – Chelsea were in desperate need of a new talisman, and despite it being touch and go as the window ticked down, the Blues, led by new owner Todd Boehly, finally bagged their man.
MORE: (Photo) Chelsea unveil Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s new squad number
Even though the Gabonese forward is Arsenal’s former captain, after penning a two-year deal, Aubameyang was clearly excited by the opportunity to return to London and the Premier League.
Unfinished business. ?#AubameyangIsChelsea pic.twitter.com/3YD52HQr6b
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 2, 2022
Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside about the 33-year-old’s recent switch, former Liverpool player Stan Collymore said: “A lot of the arguments and punditry has been around his age, but he’ll score goals. You stick the ball in front of him and he will score goals.
“He will love living the high-life in London, so from that perspective, there are no problems. What are the downsides?
“The upside is that he’ll score goals, he’s a fit lad. I don’t worry about his physical shape. He’s worked with [Thomas] Tuchel before of course, so he knows the manager very well.
“[…] The negative isn’t his age, other than he’s not going to be hanging around for more than likely 12 months, 18 months, two years maximum, and that’s okay because Chelsea have the resources and they have the scouting network to go and pop another £80m – £90m on a striker down the line, if they want to.”
. @StanCollymore thinks Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move from #Barca to #CFC is a good one with very few downsides ?
“A lot of the arguments have been about his age, but he’ll score goals” ? pic.twitter.com/QlWqhNeKXe
— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) September 2, 2022
I don’t think Tuchel’s reunion with former Gunner’s captain, having found the back of the net 92 times for his london team in 163 appearances also finishing last season 13 goals in a joint team top scorer with Dutch forward Depay for Barca after his indisciplinery act which led Arteta terminating the Gabonese Star contract in last winter, six months back in a free transfer to barca where he also hit the ground running has any downsides at all cos i beleive he must score goals despite his age…