Aubameyang

Graham Potter has been speaking on the decision to leave Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the UEFA Champions League squad.

The Gabonese striker has endured a rather dismal debut season at Stamford Bridge. After being signed on the recommendation of Thomas Tuchel, the German was ...

"Whichever decision we made there was always going to be conversation about it. Pierre is just unfortunate and he'll be fighting for his place for the rest of the season," Potter said. The Gabonese striker has endured a rather dismal debut season at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea news: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was excluded from Graham Potter's Champions League squad for the knockout stages amid continued uncertainty over the ...

However, Potter was quick to rule the rumours out. [Jorginho's £12m move to Arsenal](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/chelsea-arsenal-jorginho-transfer-confirmed-26133759) opened up a space but Potter was forced to make a number of difficult decisions prior to Friday's deadline. [Mudryk, Fernandez and Felix meant there was no space for Benoit Badiashile and Noni Madueke](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/news/chelsea-champions-league-squad-felix-26149936). Pierre is just unfortunate and he will be fighting for his place for the rest of the season. "Whichever decision we made there was always going to be a conversation about it but it was my decision. During Chelsea's Premier League clash with Fulham, footage surfaced online of Aubameyang in Milan, sparking claims that the striker had left the country after being left out of the squad. The striker was excluded to allow for three of the club’s January signings to be registered. New signing David Datro Fofana was opted instead and made his Premier League debut in the stalemate. [the Blues](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/) to their third European title following Todd Boehly's mass January spending. "It was a tough decision, a tough call. [Aubameyang](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/mikel-arteta-ozil-aubameyang-arsenal-26154277) was the unfortunate figure to be removed to accommodate the three new names amid severe doubts over his future in west London. However, a successful knockout campaign in Europe can secure their place in the competition next season and preparation has already kickstarted for the first encounter against Borussia Dortmund.

A. C Milan and Atletico Madrid expressed an interest in Pierre Emerick Aubameyang during the January transfer window but FIFA rules blocked a potential transfer ...

[Chelsea](/topic/chelsea) and [Barcelona](/topic/barcelona) this season and, as a result, was not allowed to move to a third club during the winter window. The Blues have a 33-man squad going into the second half of the season after signing seven players in the January transfer window and selling only Jorginho to Arsenal. [C Milan](/topic/ac-milan) and [Atletico Madrid](/topic/atletico-madrid) expressed an interest in Pierre Emerick Aubameyang during the January [transfer window](/topic/transfer-window) but [FIFA](/topic/fifa) rules blocked a potential transfer.

Chelsea manager Graham Potter said it was a "tough decision" to leave Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of their Champions League squad for the knockout stages.

“Pierre’s just unfortunate and he will be fighting for his place for the rest of the season. He has done nothing wrong at all.” He was the one that has missed out.

Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still has a future at Chelsea, claims boss Graham Potter, despite his Champions League omission.

"Whichever decision we made there was always going to be a conversation about it but it was my decision. He was the one that missed out, he's done nothing wrong at all. “It was a tough decision, a tough call. I think you saw that one flash that he's got. It was a tough decision absolutely, sometimes you have to make these calls but it's absolutely nothing bad against him. "It was difficult because I am empathetic so I understand his disappointment but I've got a responsibility to make these tough decisions and to articulate them as honestly and as well as I can to the player and then respect the fact that he's going to be disappointed.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has insisted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has done 'nothing wrong' after the striker flew to Milan while the Blues played.

“That bit of connection, that fluidity and understanding, we probably lacked a little bit, which is understandable when we’ve got players coming back from injury and new players in the team. Some positives from us, I thought the effort was there, the spirit was there. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected events. Within the team there was a good feeling. Pierre is just unfortunate and he’ll be fighting for his place for the rest of the season. “Whichever decision we made there was always going to be conversation about it.

ADRIAN KAJUMBA: The Spanish duo and Italian side have all made enquiries ahead of potential summer moves since he was left out of Chelsea's squad for the ...

It was a tough decision absolutely, sometimes you have to make these calls but it's absolutely nothing bad against him. He was the one that missed out, he's done nothing wrong at all. 'Pierre is just unfortunate and he will be fighting for his place for the rest of the season. [Friday's stalemate against Fulham](/sport/football/article-11711271/Chelsea-0-0-Fulham-Enzo-Fernandez-Noni-Madueke-make-debuts-Graham-Potters-held.html) after being [given the weekend off and travelled to Milan](/sport/football/article-11712195/Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang-appears-jet-dropped-Chelseas-European-squad.html), Potter said he was confident that keeping him onside for the remainder of the season will not be an issue. [only able to register three of his January signings ](/sport/football/article-11700149/Chelsea-face-Champions-League-squad-headache-January-spending.html)for the rest of this season's Champions League and having to cut one player from the existing squad to do so. [Barcelona](/sport/teampages/barcelona.html), [Atletico Madrid](/sport/teampages/atletico-madrid.html) and [AC Milan](/sport/teampages/acmilan.html) are all on alert following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's [shock Chelsea Champions League omission.](/sport/football/article-11709187/Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang-KICKED-Chelseas-Champions-League-squad.html)