With
Chelsea having missed out on Romelu Lukaku and decided to move on from Diego
Costa, the Premier League champions are in need of a top-quality striker to
lead the line for them in the forthcoming campaign. But who should it be?
Alvaro Morata is thought to be a Chelsea target, while Torino forward Andrea
Belotti has also been linked with a summer switch. However, could
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang be an even better acquisition? Let's take a look…
Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign Borussia Dortmund forward
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for £70m, according to Sky sources.
THE GOAL STATS
Aubameyang scored 31 goals in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund last
season. That total was bettered only by Lionel Messi in Europe's top five
leagues. Take out penalties and even Messi was only two clear of the Gabon
international.
This was no freak haul for the 28-year-old forward. His total of 40 goals in
all competitions follows on from a 39-goal season in 2015/16. Over his four
years in Germany, he averaged 30 per season and always scored more than in
the previous campaign.
THE KEY STRENGTH
It is no surprise that Aubameyang has a love for Lamborghinis. Speed is
important to him. Former coach Jurgen Klopp once described him as a "classic
fast player" and Aubameyang himself has discussed the possibility of a race
with Usain Bolt. He's quick.
It means he is a huge threat when afforded space in behind. Tellingly,
Aubameyang's first nine goals for Saint-Etienne all came away from home.
This is a player who can punish teams on the counter-attack and expose
defences with a high line.
MORE TO HIS GAME
Under Thomas Tuchel, Aubameyang's game developed significantly, resulting in
the best two seasons of his career. The transformation was instant, netting
22 goals in his first 18 appearances. "This is not a phase he is going
through," said Tuchel. And so it proved.
Fears that Aubameyang would be ill-suited to a team playing with a slightly
slower build-up proved unfounded. He has morphed into a penalty-box poacher
as well as a speedster. Aubameyang is now a pure finisher capable of
operating as the team's target in the area.
STAR QUALITY TOO
Costa was Chelsea's talisman last season, his goals winning more points than
any other player in the Premier League. Aubameyang can be that clutch player
too. For example, his goals won seven points for Dortmund in the final 10
minutes of games alone.
He has that big-game mentality as well, scoring home and away against Real
Madrid and Bayern Munich as well as in the derby at Schalke. Aubameyang is a
showman and that is no big issue at Chelsea where a big character would be
welcome in replacing Costa.
WHAT'S THE ISSUE?
At 28, Aubameyang is significantly older than the alternative striker
options on the market this summer. Lukaku and Morata are both 24, while
Belotti is a year younger at 23. All offer the prospect of resale value even
if the transfers do not work out.
Making money on Aubameyang is still a possibility, of course. Particularly
given the reports of interest from China. But the fear could be that a
forward for whom pace is such a key aspect of his game will need to make
further adjustments in the coming seasons.
THE BEST OPTION?
Even so, Conte understands that results are needed now at a club like
Chelsea and in terms of likely productivity it is surely Aubameyang who
represents the minimal risk signing. He has scored more goals than Morata
and Belotti between them in the past two seasons.
Given the signs that he has matured into a man who can lead the line as well
as run in behind, Aubameyang has the potential to play the Costa role and
give Chelsea a new dimension too. Overlooking him could be a mistake.
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