Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been dealt a huge blow to any prospect of leaving Chelsea for Barcelona in the summer. The 33-year-old faces an increasingly uncertain future at Stamford Bridge having fallen out of favour under Graham Potter.
Since the 47-year-old's appointment, Aubameyang has featured just 12 times for the Blues in the Premier League, directly contributing towards one goal. Despite the striker being the west Londoners' only 'senior' option to lead the frontline, there has been no indication that he is part of the club's plans.
After the former Arsenal captain was omitted from Chelsea's Champions League squad, he looked destined to leave in January with a move to the MLS on the cards. A deal failed to materialise and Aubameyang still finds himself on British soil.
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But, that hasn't stopped the Gabon international from returning to Barcelona. Earlier this month, he was pictured in the Catalan side's dressing room after their dramatic El Clasico win over Real Madrid, celebrating with former teammate Ferran Torres.
Chelsea supporters quickly noticed Aubameyang's social media activity and they were not happy – nor were higher-ups at Stamford Bridge, it seems. According to Spanish outlet AS, the striker would 'love' to return to Barcelona.
However, the report states that the Blues are 'very angry' with the Spanish side's reported approaches for Aubameyang and, as a result, they will not sanction a move from Barcelona. AS state that Barcelona must convince Chelsea as to why they shouldn't be refused the chance to sign the striker.
Even if Xavi proves successful in his mission to recall Aubameyang, he's been warned that the former Arsenal man isn't even good enough to start for LAFC. As quoted by the Express, former MLS star Herculez Gomez said: "No, not as a starter - and you're not bringing him in to sit on the bench.
"Why not? Because Chicho Arango, who was a goal scorer and produced so many dangerous plays for LAFC, who was for all intensive purposes already a DP (Designated Player) in his numbers on the field, was being asked to do all those other things.
"The high press, the defensive scheme, the work rate, I don't think you're going to get that here. But it doesn't mean you can't be a good player, it doesn't mean he can't be a star player in Major League Soccer.
"With this LAFC, I don't know if it's the best fit or the natural fit. That being said, those players can find a way to impact the game anyway."
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