Could Pierre Emerick Aubameyang be the answer to Chelsea’s troubles?

Chelsea has had a disappointing start to the season so far, picking up just seven points from their opening five fixtures. Despite some defensive mishaps, Chelsea’s poor form can largely be owed to the fact they lack a natural goalscorer and are struggling to finish chances regularly as a result.

Chelsea has begun the Premier League season without a natural number nine. New signing from Manchester City Raheem Sterling has chipped in with a few goals, but a majority of Chelsea’s attackers have struggled for consistency as Thomas Tuchel has struggled to decide on his favored front three.

Outright Odds

Following Chelsea’s poor opening run, they now find themselves offered as +4000 Premier League title outsiders, for those who want to bet on football with prolific brands like Paddy Power. Tuchel’s side’s slow start makes it a huge possibility Chelsea could fail to qualify for UEFA Champions League football by achieving a top-four finish this season, according to Paddy Power’s Premier League bets, the West London side are now odds on at -225 to finish outside of the top four.

Chelsea signed former Arsenal captain, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, on deadline day, and with the Gabonese striker boasting an impressive footballing CV Chelsea is set to pin huge hopes on the forward to improve their poor form in front of goal.

Aubameyang signed from Barcelona for a fee of around £10.3 million and brings with him an assurance that he will score goals in abundance. The forward recorded exceptional returns in the early stages of his career with Borussia Dortmund in Germany, Aubameyang’s 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons were exceptional as he managed 25 goals and 31 goals in the respective Bundesliga seasons.

Arsenal swooped for him in January 2018 in his first London stint and he did not disappoint as he picked up the Premier League golden boot in his first full season with 22 goals. Aubameyang’s Arsenal goalscoring record was impeccable right up until he left the club this year, following many disciplinary issues including turning up late to training.

The striker’s move to Barcelona for free was sanctioned with Mikel Arteta wanting to cut ties with the forward despite the ability he had previously shown for the club. Aubameyang’s apparent attitude issues may present a worry for Chelsea, as at times in his career he has appeared to lack motivation and down tools in order to get the outcome he desires.

But with the record, the Gabonese player brings coupled with the fact he cost a mere £10.3 million it is a gamble Chelsea would have found hard to turn down, especially in their current situation.

Chelsea still has regular goalscorers in their squad who are currently struggling for form this season, the likes of Hakim Ziyech who in truth has failed to find the form he showed at his previous club Ajax since joining Chelsea. Ziyech is a player who likes to cut inside and create a shooting opportunity for himself or a teammate.

He showed this at the peak of football in the UEFA Champions League regularly providing goal contributions for Ajax. If Ziyech can finally settle into life in West London he could help form a solid supporting cast for Aubameyang.