CHELSEA could be forced back into the transfer market for another striker if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s form continues.
After all, it looked as though not even leading the line against Arsenal could inspire him back to his best.
In a day Aubameyang was supposed to haunt his old side and manager, he fired a blank after a lacklustre display.
And in truth the former Arsenal captain – who was let go on a free transfer after falling out with Mikel Arteta – never looked like scoring.
He lacked any sort of movement off the ball and rarely made an effort to get involved in the 65 minutes he lasted.
Admittedly the striker – signed from Barcelona in the summer – was not helped much by his attacking colleagues.
But a player of Aubameyang’s experience and quality should be able to turn a game on its head.
His replacement at Stamford Bridge, Armando Broja, 21, immediately showed more ambition than Aubameyang, 33, managed in over an hour.
It also condemned the Gabon star to a fifth Premier League match without a goal.
He was brought in to replace £97.5million man Romelu Lukaku, 29, the latest misfiring Chelsea forward signed for major money.
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And although Aubameyang’s £10million fee will not hurt new owner Todd Boehly’s pockets right now, he could end up costing the American down the line.
As if things do not change, Boehly could be forced to improve on the already £300m he spent in his first summer in charge.
Chelsea are set to wait until next season for RB Leipzig’s versatile playermaker Christopher Nkunku, 24, to come into the side.
So new head of recruitment Joe Shields, who only came in last month, might have to get busy drawing up a wishlist ahead of the January sales.
