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Premier League | Gameweek 24

Feb 18, 2023 at 3pm UK

Stamford Bridge

Chelsea
0 - 1
Southampton

Koulibaly (4'), Arrizabalaga (87'), Kovacic (90+7')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Ward-Prowse (45+1')
Bella-Kotchap (16'), Armstrong (45+5'), Mara (75'), Lavia (87'), Lavia (87+87'), Ward-Prowse (90+7'), Perraud (90+8')

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 'left out of Chelsea squad for Southampton clash'

By Ben Sully | 17 February 2023

Chelsea boss Graham Potter reportedly leaves Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the squad for Saturday's Premier League meeting with Southampton.

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter has reportedly excluded Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the matchday squad for Saturday's Premier League meeting with Southampton.

The Gabon international joined the Blues on a free transfer from Barcelona last summer, but he already appears to be nearing an exit from Stamford Bridge.

Aubameyang was keen to reunite with his former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked shortly after the striker's arrival.

Under Potter, the 33-year-old has started only four Premier League games and was recently left out of the Champions League squad for the knockout stages despite starting all six group matches.

Aubameyang has not featured in the matchday squad for Chelsea's last two Premier League games, and Potter was quizzed about the former Arsenal player in his pre-match press conference.

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter during defeat to Arsenal on November 6, 2022. © Reuters

Speaking ahead of Saturday's home game against Southampton, Potter said: "Pierre knows the situation but he is part of the squad, he is an important player.

"He has worked hard and nothing is set in stone; his attitude has been really good and we will make an assessment going forward."

However, according to The Mirror, Aubameyang has not been included in the squad for Saturday's clash, placing his Chelsea future in further doubt.

Aubameyang was linked with a move away in the January window, with his former club Barcelona among those that showed an interest.

However, the Catalan giants were unable to pursue the transfer due to their financial situation, and he was unable to join other interested European clubs due to FIFA rules, which state that a player cannot play for more than two teams in a single season.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring for Chelsea on October 5, 2022 © Reuters

A transfer to MLS side Los Angeles FC was recently mooted as a possibility, but Aubameyang appeared to be reluctant to complete a move to the United States.

With his situation at Stamford Bridge showing no signs of improving, Aubameyang, who has scored three goals in 18 appearances for Chelsea, seems to be heading towards a summer exit.

In his absence, Chelsea lost 1-0 to his former club Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.

The Blues are now winless in four games across all competitions, and they will be aiming to return to winning ways when they face Southampton on Saturday.