Graham Potter insists that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s situation at Chelsea is “not terminal” despite leaving him out of his Champions League squad last week.
The 33-year-old has been subject to interest from MLS champions Los Angeles FC over a possible loan move to replace the now retired Gareth Bale.
It remains to be seen whether Aubameyang will make the Chelsea squad to face West Ham on Saturday afternoon after he was not even named on the bench for the goalless draw with Fulham last week.
Speaking ahead of that latest London derby, Blues boss Potter explained his view on the matter.
“In my job every player while they are here is important,” he said. “Every player should understand their situation and be treated with respect and then it’s their decision how to act and he has acted fantastically.
“Sometimes situations are difficult, which this one is. We have got Joao [Felix], we have Kai [Havertz], we have got David [Datro Fofana], who we thought we wanted to get more of a look at in the short-term.
“But that’s not to say it’s a terminal situation for Pierre. We had to be honest with him and give him time. And that was the reason why he was out of the previous match.
“But while he is here it’s not to say that will always be the case. That’s why how he has acted and responded has been really good.
“At the same time you have to understand that these guys are human beings, they have got families. There might be something that is better for him in the medium or short-term, who knows? But while he is here we will treat him with respect and help him.”
With Aubameyang unlikely to start and fighting with Fofana for a place on the bench, Felix will likely come in against West Ham after serving a three-game suspension following a red card on his debut at Fulham.
The 23-year-old signed on loan from Atletico Madrid in January and hopes to help his team in their 17 remaining league games.
Potter said of Felix: “He is hungry to get back out there, that’s for sure. You can sense that. I wouldn’t want to put pressure on him but we have him as a top player.
“And then it’s about how the team can function better. He can help and show his quality.”
Asked about Felix possibly making his loan move permanent in the summer, Potter added: “It’s not something I’ve thought about to be honest.”
