It’s nice to be wanted and know that you’ve had a long-lasting impact. Such was the time Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang spent with coach Thomas Tuchel during their time together at Borussia Dortmund. Five years later, they are reunited at Chelsea.The Gabonese striker was once a big-money signing for the Blues’ city rivals Arsenal. After just six months of playing for Barcelona, Auba accepted the call from his old coach. He joined the likes of William Gallas, Cesc Fabregas, Ashley Cole, Nicolas Anelka, Olivier Giroud, David Luiz, and not many more of those who have represented both clubs. But that’s not the only bout of strangeness the Gabon captain has signed for. He also accepted the challenge of Chelsea’s “cursed” number nine shirt.Chelsea, get a decent-priced striker and whatever you do – do not hand him that no.9 shirt!Tuchel is delighted to be working again with the 33-year-old striker, saying, “some players just remain your players”.”I can only say the best things about Auba as a player and person. I enjoyed a lot working with him while I was at Dortmund. Some players stay your players because you were very, very close, and Auba is one of those players. There was always straightaway this close bond. They always stay your players in a way.”The Bavarian coach has a strong bond with Auba – not just because he scored many goals for his team during their two years together, but also because his personality makes everyone’s mood brighter.”Aubameyang is extrovert but very sensitive. It would be the worst thing to curb his character. He’s fun-loving and a happy person. That makes things easier for me. You can address harsh criticism when talking to him, but he won’t bear grudges. Rather, he will try to understand the other side.”Thomas Tuchel 🤝 Aubameyang This duo reunited 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8yEbnwHwKQ— CfcSheikh (@CfcSheikh) September 1, 2022 But Aubameyang wasn’t signed on the transfer deadline day just because he’s a good guy. He has so much to offer on the pitch to a Chelsea side that started the season rather poorly. Tuchel expects Auba’s arrival to pay dividends quickly.”I’m hugely impressed with the way he gives everything to be the complete and perfect forward. His aim is to score goals and he totally defines himself as a goalscorer but he’s also incredibly committed to the team and so happy when he enables others to score.”##NAJAVA_MECA_6615636##The Gabonese has confidence in his ability and is prepared to tackle the now-infamous “curse” by taking the number nine shirt, the one Tuchel recently joked about.”It’s cursed, it’s cursed, people tell me it’s cursed! There was not a big demand for number nine, and now nobody wants to touch it.”Aubameyang touched it!Former Arsenal players win trophies with Chelsea 👀Ashley Cole 🏆 x9Fabregas 🏆x5Giroud 🏆 x3Aubameyang ⏳🏆 pic.twitter.com/V8EInpGV9S— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 1, 2022 The last 11 players to wear the shirt – including three club record signings up front, but also a holding midfielder and a defender – have struggled to make a prolonged impact at Stamford Bridge. Lukaku, Abraham, Higuain, Morata, Torres… The list goes on. It’s time somebody put an end to it.
