Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has backed the new Chelsea signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signing to the number 9 jersey curse in Chelsea.
The Gabonese international became the latest Chelsea signing of the summer after completing a move on the deadline day. Aubameyang has rich experience in the Premier League with Arsenal.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored 68 goals in 128 appearances for Arsenal and won the Premier League top goal scorer in 2019 along with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
He also has a strong connection with Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who worked at Borussia Dortmund.
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The former Arsenal skipper scored 79 goals in 95 appearances during his time at Dortmund, during Thomas Tuchel before his move to Arsenal.
People are raising question marks on the Gabonese international’s decision to pick the number jersey. The “Number 9” is labeled as a curse at Chelsea, as many high-profile strikers have failed to impress Chelsea in that shirt.
The likes of Romero Lukaku, Crespo, Alvaro Morata, and many high-profile strikers have to live up to the hype in the number 9 shirt.
What did Thomas Tuchel say?
Thomas Tuchel believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has what it takes to break the curse, Thomas Tuchel said:
“We hope (he can be a success).
“It’s now on us to prove it and me to find a position and create enough support for him and on him to finish our attacks and be strong, be on the pitch. I’m not sure if he took the number 9. I am not aware at the moment. If he did, I think he is not afraid of the past and what the number means. He is ready to write his history. If he is brave enough to take the 9, he takes the 9.”
Tuchel indicated Aubameyang is always ready and happy to take on a new challenge.
“Auba is always happy to fight for something, to accept the challenge. The more challenges he has, the better it is.
“If he wants to overcome the number 9 curse or show somebody in London, he is better than people think, the more the better. He’s up for that and he’s happy. I know him as very focused and very open, a person with an open heart, and thrilled to be on the pitch every day. This is what we wanted. Very positive influence on any group. He is up for any challenge, and he is happy to be on the pitch and score goals. This is what we want.”
Asked if what the new signing has to do has the support of the Chelsea fans, he said: “I don’t know. I imagine everybody is happy he chose the club in blue now instead of the club in red. I think they will see very early what he is and is about, using his speed. Not only is his speed to score and be selfish but he is very hardworking, as he always was. He’s the first line of pressing, very strong in counter pressing.
“He’s ready to work. That’s what made him special in Dortmund when he worked for me, that made him captain of Arsenal. He lifted some trophies there. Just to reduce him on last season when things became difficult, I cannot judge it. It’s very rare in these situations that it is one person’s problem.
“It is what it is. I am not there to judge because it is none of my business. I can just tell you how I met Auba and how he was for me, how I met him as a person. I am convinced that he did what he did in any club. He scored and won titles. He has the winning mentality and positivity to be a huge influence in the group.”
