Graham Potter breaks silence on Aubemeyang’s flight to Milan during Fulham clash as Chelsea struggle for goals again

PLANE & SIMPLE

Graham Potter breaks silence on Aubemeyang’s flight to Milan during Fulham clash as Chelsea struggle for goals again

GRAHAM POTTER broke his silence on Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang’s flight to Milan during Chelsea’s draw with Fulham.

The Blues were held to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge by their London neighbours, again struggling for goals.

Graham Potter looks on as Chelsea are held by Fulham

3
Graham Potter looks on as Chelsea are held by Fulham
Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang took a flight to Milan

3
Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang took a flight to Milan

Aubameyang was completely omitted from the match day side, as Potter welcomed five signings into the squad.

See Also :  ‘I was only thinking about them’ – Lionel Messi reveals his children are inspiring him to World Cup glory with Argentina

The Chelsea manager revealed it was his decision to leave the striker – who was also left out of Chelsea’s updated Champions League squad yesterday – out of the picture.

He said: “It was my decision and it was tough decision, but sometime you have to make those calls.

“Someone had to miss out. He’s done nothing wrong at all. I’m empathetic. I understand his disappointment.

“He reacted in the right way. He trained very well today.”

Asked if Aubameyang had permission to fly to Milan, Potter added: “He’s got the weekend off. It’s a free world.”

See Also :  Pep Guardiola slams his own ‘horrible’ tactics as he reveals second-half change which helped Man City down Arsenal

Aubameyang, 33, was brought over to Chelsea from Barcelona by Thomas Tuchel.

But after Potter replaced Tuchel in September, the former Arsenal captain has struggled for game time.

Aubameyang has been linked with a move away and his future appeared further in doubt after he flew out of the country.

 The forward was pictured in Milan – where he spent four years as a player – with his family.

See Also :  BREAKING : Cristiano Ronaldo is to LEAVE Man Utd by mutual agreement, with immediate effect

Asked if Aubameyang had permission to fly to Milan, Potter added: “He’s got the weekend off. It’s a free world.”

Mudryk started on the left at Stamford Bridge but was taken off at half-time – having suffered from a COLD.

Potter said: “He had a heavy cold all week.

“We thought 60 would be his maximum but he just felt heavy legged at half-time so felt 45 was right for him.”

Chelsea’s draw takes them up to ninth, but Liverpool have two games in hand over them.

Mykhaylo Mudryk was taken off at half time against Fulham

3
Mykhaylo Mudryk was taken off at half time against FulhamCredit: Getty