Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been spotted playing a five-a-side game while wearing his Chelsea kit, as his Blues woes continue.
Aubameyang, 33, has been left out of Chelsea's squad for the last three Premier League games and started just once since the World Cup in Qatar. He has also been omitted from Graham Potter's squad for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Potter has assured Aubameyang his situation at Stamford Bridge is not "terminal" - but that has not stopped the player from travelling to Milan to get some match fitness. The former Gabon international was allowed to visit Italy by Potter and Chelsea's hierarchy.
It is unclear where Aubameyang's career goes from here. The former Arsenal captain, who has scored more than 300 goals during his club career, joined Chelsea from Barcelona at the end of the summer transfer window and was expected to lead their attack.
Yet just five days after the transfer, Chelsea chair Todd Boehly sacked manager Thomas Tuchel. The German played a huge role in bringing Aubameyang to Stamford Bridge after working with the prolific striker during their time together at Borussia Dortmund.
Potter was appointed as Tuchel's successor and Aubameyang has failed to flourish under the Englishman. He has scored just three goals in his 17 outings, with only one of those strikes coming in the Premier League. He has also failed to complete a full 90 minutes.
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Aubameyang's role seemed under threat after a wave of January transfers. The likes of David Datro Fofana, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Joao Felix and Noni Madueke were all brought in, which led to Aubameyang being left out of Chelsea's Champions League squad.
Potter has insisted the veteran has a future at Stamford Bridge. The Blues boss said earlier this month: "In my job every player while they are here is important. 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. He really has.
"We have got Joao, we have Kai [Havertz], we have got David. We thought we wanted to get more of a look at them 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. That was why he was out of the previous match. But while he is here it’s not to say that will always be the case."
Aubameyang still has just over 16 months remaining on his existing deal. Chelsea could opt to terminate the player's contract by mutual consent - agreeing to a pay-off - if they want to part company with him in the near future.
It is unlikely that another club will pay a transfer fee for Aubameyang in the summer due to his age. A move to Major League Soccer has been mooted, although he may have to wait until the end of the season having already represented two clubs this term.
