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Tom Coley

Chelsea given controversial Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang verdict as Barcelona reveal price

Chelsea fans and Graeme Souness aren't the best of friends right now. The former Liverpool captain was one of the massive minority that agreed with some of Anthony Taylor's controversial decisions against Thomas Tuchel's side, adding that "the referee had a fabulous game."

During the match, had Chelsea been able to finish the game off earlier, the Blues might have been out of sight before Harry Kane's late equaliser, but that is a tale all too familiar for Tuchel. The German has seen his side consistently struggle to put matches out of sight, often seeing Chelsea made to pay for their lax finishing and creativity.

With 11 draws, seven of which came at Stamford Bridge - the second most in the league at home - Chelsea's ability to get themselves out of sight cost them a more sustained title challenge last year. Although they were largely excellent against Spurs, dominating for the majority of the match, with better finishing there might not have been the scope for a nervy and ultimately damaging ending.

READ MORE: Why Thiago Silva shouted at Kalidou Koulibaly as Chelsea beat Everton but prepare for Spurs test

It is also second halves that cost Tuchel last season. Chelsea were the only side in the league not to be behind once at the break, but still managed to lose six games. This isn't just an attacking problem, defensive mistakes plagued Chelsea in an uncharacteristic manner and when the attack isn't firing the defence is there to bail them out to some extent, but Tuchel wants this to change.

Despite bringing in Raheem Sterling, who has impressed in his two matches as a flexible false nine, Chelsea are still after a new forward and the most likely option is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The former-Arsenal captain could be offloaded by Arsenal this summer in an attempt to loosen their financial issues, but the 33-year-old doesn't offer a long-term solution and Souness made his own case for Chelsea moving on from the Gabon forward. He said, "He [Tuchel] knows him from Dortmund. It didn’t work out for him [Aubameyang] at Arsenal for whatever reasons. We saw today, our football is different to anywhere else. The hardest place to play is up-front. He found that difficult here playing for Arsenal, it won’t be different for Chelsea.

"At 33, it would be unusual to come here and be such a success in our league, even playing for a team that has that much of the ball."

Aubameyang, who scored 68 Premier League goals in 128 games, including 16 assists to end with a strong goals and assists per90 record of 0.65 across four and a half seasons, was one of the most lethal strikers in the league in England. His tally's at the Emirates reached 22 in consecutive years whilst playing for an Arsenal side that finished in: 6th, 5th, 6th, and 8th across his completed seasons.

As for his age, Chelsea have already signed Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly since 2020 who are over 30, and with Tuchel's continual glowing praise of the player, he clearly believes that he could handle the misconduct which resulted in him leaving Arsenal.

However, the finances of a deal aren't simple and Barcelona could reportedly price Chelsea out of a move according to Fabrizio Romano. He tweeted, "Barcelona have asked around €30m (£25.3m) fee for Pierre Aubameyang during the weekend, Chelsea wanted to spend way less than this. Talks continue, as Marcos Alonso is still part of the conversations. Tuchel, pushing for Aubameyang as priority… but Xavi insists to keep him."

Aubameyang was a second-half substitute during Barcelona's 0-0 draw on the opening day of La Liga season with Rayo Vallecano.

Having already spent more than £150m and the promise of much more still to come, Chelsea could do with saving the pennies that they can this window but it doesn't appear to be at the forefront of Todd Boehly's mind as he looks to complete as much of the squad overhaul in window one as he can.

A loan deal for Aubameyang might be the best way for all parties to remain happy, this doesn't look to be part of the current plan though.

READ NEXT:

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Todd Boehly overdue £40m success breaks fundamental Chelsea transfer rule to set new trend

Timo Werner Chelsea exit exposes wider transfer mistake that Todd Boehly cannot repeat

Callum Hudson-Odoi Dortmund talks could finally end Chelsea's £150m transfer dead-end

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