Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has delivered a brutally honest and expletive-laden assessment of his time at Chelsea, labelling the controversial move a "big f****** mistake".
A Dream Move Turns Sour
The Gabonese forward made the shocking switch to Stamford Bridge in 2022 under the club's new ownership, directly crossing the London divide from rivals Arsenal. Having been a prolific goalscorer in North London, netting 92 times in 163 appearances, expectations were sky-high when he was handed the iconic number nine shirt.
However, his tenure at Chelsea proved to be an unmitigated disaster. Following a brief stint at Barcelona, Aubameyang failed to recapture his best form, managing a paltry three goals across a woeful debut season. His time in West London lasted less than a year before he was sold to French side Marseille.
The Reasons Behind the Failed Transfer
Speaking candidly on a YouTube stream, Aubameyang didn't hold back. "That was a big mistake going there. It was a f****** big mistake," he stated. When pressed on why he decided to join Chelsea, he revealed the difficult personal circumstances that influenced his decision.
"At that time, I had a bad moment in Barcelona," Aubameyang explained. "I had a home break-in and Barça needed to sell a player -- me or Memphis Depay -- and the only thing that was on the table was Chelsea." Faced with this limited choice and wanting stability for his family, he took the plunge, hoping to follow a path similar to Olivier Giroud's successful transition between the two clubs.
Tuchel Sacking and Chelsea's Disorganisation
This is not the first time the now 36-year-old has opened up about his Chelsea nightmare. After moving to Marseille, he pinpointed the managerial chaos at the club as a primary reason for his struggles.
"I think it's simple to explain," he said. "I arrived at Chelsea in no small part due to Thomas Tuchel, and a week later, he had been sacked." This sudden upheaval left him in a vulnerable position, and he soon found himself out of favour, citing subsequent problems that he insists were "not my fault".
Since leaving Chelsea, Aubameyang's career has been revitalised. He scored 30 goals in 51 games for Marseille before a productive spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Qadsiah, where he netted 21 times. He has since returned to Marseille, scoring five goals in 14 appearances this season, proving he still has an eye for goal away from the turbulence of Stamford Bridge.
