Aubameyang faces backlash following Chelsea draw

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By Martin Graham | 25th Oct 2022

Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was described as “totally off the pace” following his performance in Chelsea’s 1 – 1 draw with Manchester United on Saturday in the Premier League.

The 33-year-old striker who joined Chelsea from Barcelona during the summer transfer window has scored only one goal for the Blues in the Premier League. That return, however, has come from just four games, as injury kept him sidelined for a while after he joined the team.

His latest outing for Graham Potter’s men was not inspiring, however, and Tony Cascarino has come out to blast the former Arsenal man as well as a few other Chelsea players who he believed should have done better in the game.

The former Ireland international Cascarino, who played for Chelsea between 1992 and 1994, speaking to talkSport, said: “I think Graham Potter is going to be bothered about the ability of his forward line to get goals.

“Aubameyang has not really got going yet. Yes, he’s had a couple of moments but he was totally off the pace yesterday. Sterling isn’t playing particularly well either. He’s running into defenders more often than not.

“These are top players and players you expect so much more from. Chelsea don’t look like they’ve got goals in them. They’ve lost Reece James who is a big outlet for them but generally they don’t look like they’ve got goals in them.”

Chelsea were helped by poor finishing from Manchester United and some strong moments of brilliance from Kepa Arrizabalaga, who continues to deputise for the injured Edouard Mendy.

They thought they had grabbed a winner when Scott McTominay gave away a penalty in the 87th minute of the game. However, a 93rd minute header from Manchester United summer signing Casemiro restored parity and ensured that the Red Devils left Stamford Bridge with a well deserved point.

Cascarino believes that the goal eclipsed Kepa’s performances in the game, opining that the Spanish shot stopper should have saved it.

“The goal is a hard one to swallow because Kepa has played really well of late,” Cascarino said. “I’m not sure he’s covered himself in glory with the goal.

“It was a good header but I think Kepa should have done better, he was flat-footed. Graham Potter will be really disappointed because Chelsea are quite capable of keeping clean sheets.”

This is Potter’s Chelsea’s second draw on the bounce after winning their first four games following his appointment in September. The former Brighton and Hove Albion manager, however, chose to focus on the positives of the game and not the dropped points.

“Lots of positives in terms of the amount of effort the boys put into the game. Manchester United were better than us for the first 30 minutes and we had to respond and I felt we did that.

“It wasn’t from a lack of trying. The boys gave everything, when you score as late as you do there is a feeling you’ve dropped points but over the course of the game a point is probably about right.”