Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has delivered his glowing verdict on new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The pair worked together previously during a successful period at Borussia Dortmund before the head coach moved to Paris Saint-Germain and Aubameyang signed for Chelsea’s rivals Arsenal.
However, after departing Arsenal in January, the 33-year-old enjoyed a short stint at Barcelona before being confirmed as a deadline day signing for Chelsea in the early hours of Friday morning.
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The Gabon international will begin Chelsea training once being fitted for a mask after suffering a jaw injury before his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
Scoring 79 goals under Tuchel in Germany, the pair will be hoping that Aubameyang can quickly find his feet to help change Chelsea’s early-season fortune.
The Blues have already fallen to defeat twice in the opening matches, losing 3-0 to Leeds and 2-1 to Southampton, both away from home.
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Aubameyang will most likely compete with Kai Havertz and Armando Broja as Chelsea’s centre forward options this season.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash against West Ham United on Saturday, Tuchel discussed the signing.
“Hopefully he can be that good again,” Tuchel said. “We know very well what we get with Auba and he was very keen to come back to the Premier League.
“Very happy we could make it happen. Everywhere he plays he delivers goals but more importantly he delivers speed and workrate against the ball so it’s a big package he can bring to our group. That’s why we did it.”
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After leaving Arsenal in controversial circumstances, being stripped of the captaincy by Mikel Arteta, Tuchel continued to reveal that he has no issues with Aubameyang’s discipline despite his time keeping at Borussia Dortmund.
He continued: “It was the only incident (once in Dortmund) it was not about time keeping but the rule we set between the matches. He forgot about that rule and visited his hairdresser. I guess that was it!
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“Nothing big, never a big issue. He has a big problem with his time but also he never misses a meeting or something like this. But the 60 minutes to arrive in training before is a struggle sometimes it’s 58 or 59 minutes. Never a concern.”
The German finalised by discussing the character of Aubameyang, who he is looking forward to linking up with once more.
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“He has a top heart, he is a top character,” he continued. “This is how I knew him. I’m 100 percent sure he will fit into our dressing room.
“While he was my player he was always positive, never missed a training, was never injured. Hopefully it will stay like this. Happy in a good state of mind, influencing the group in a positive way.
“This is how I remember Auba, how I felt him when I met him here in London when he was playing for Arsenal. This is what we expect from him.”
Topics: Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Football
Nick Emms