Chelsea boss Graham Potter says Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s flashy luxury cars are a mismatch for his misunderstood personality.
Sunday’s clash will be the first time the Blues striker has faced Arsenal since leaving the Gunners by mutual consent in February, when Aubameyang blamed his fraught relationship with manager Mikel Arteta as the primary reason he parted ways with the club he once captained.
But Potter was adamant that despite what some might assume about the former Gabon skipper, who is thought to have spent millions on luxury rides including Lamborghinis and Ferraris, Aubameyang is perfectly down-to-earth.
“Everybody’s different,” said Potter, who is fine with his forward flashing the cash. “Just because you drive a fast car doesn’t necessarily tell you too much about your personality or character. You just might like cars.
“It’s not something that’s ever bothered me, to be honest. But everyone’s different, like I said. I speak as I find him, (and) he’s been really good. Whatever the preconceived idea of him was, it wasn’t that.”
Aubameyang and Potter could be seen as polar opposites. The striker, who in September signed for Chelsea on a two-year deal, is known to show off his lavish lifestyle on social media.
Former Brighton boss Potter, meanwhile, recently attributed his so-called, headline-sparking “glow-up” to a haircut by a barber favoured by his players that, he joked, “cost a lot more than I thought it was going to”.
But Potter, who assumed the Blues’ manager’s chair following Thomas Tuchel’s departure in mid-September, was quick to point out the two men had more in common than many might initially think.
Our newest recruit, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang! 😎 #AubameyangIsChelsea pic.twitter.com/ptrjqecDz2
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 1, 2022
“He’s a quiet guy,” said Potter. “Maybe the outside thinks he’s this really loud, flashy person. That’s not who he is. We found him really quiet, really humble. A nice person, wants to support the team.
“He’s been really respectful all the time. Yeah, his taste in cars is a bit different to mine, and his taste in clothing is a little bit different to mine, but I’d like to think we’ve got some select similarities as well.
“He’s got kids, he’s a family man, he wants to enjoy his football, he wants to be happy, he wants to be supported, wants to be part of the team. I find him really nice to work with.”
Asked if Aubameyang had ever been tardy to training, Potter joked: “You can’t be late with driving those cars.”
A post shared by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (@auba)
Potter, who faced his own awkward reunion when he watched his side fall 4-1 to the Seagulls in their last Premier League outing, was not sure what kind of reception Aubameyang might receive from the away fans on Sunday.
The 33-year-old has scored three goals for Chelsea across the Premier and Champions Leagues so far this season, a number his new boss attributed to collective club challenges, including a jam-packed fixture list leading to a lack of consistency in his squad.
Potter also reminded critics that Aubameyang arrived at Chelsea a month after the violent robbery at his Spanish home that left him with an injured jaw.
“It’s like anything,” he added. “I think my job is to support him, to understand his quality and what he likes to do as a footballer, and them to try and put him in those positions as often as possible. Simple as that, really.
“We’ve had discussions about lots of things. He’s obviously had a traumatic summer, so you know, we’ve talked about that.
“But at the end it’s just how his role is within the team and whether he feels comfortable doing it.”
Beloved soccer coach killed by security guard at an East Baltimore Bar https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/beloved-soccer-coach-killed-by-security-guard-at-an-east-baltimore-bar
Liverpool will have the chance to avenge last season's Champions League final defeat at the hands of Real Madrid after they were drawn on Monday to face the holders again in the last 16.
Liverpool's Roberto Firmino was left off the list Monday as Brazil coach Tite named his World Cup squad, seeking a sixth title with a team led by Neymar and 39-year-old veteran Dani Alves.
Check out the latest 2022 World Cup rankings, as we rank the teams 32-1 based on their chances of winning it all in Qatar.
Joe Gibbs' son Coy died at the age of 49
"That's so rude."View Entire Post ›
Belgium's "golden generation" have one more chance to shed their reputation as serial underachievers after Kevin De Bruyne signalled the end of an era by admitting the World Cup in Qatar is likely to be his last.
United Airlines' new United Club Fly offers members a grab-and-go option for a sandwich and drink before their flights.
Kirk Cousins looks like he is having the time of his life
A big win by LSU pushed the Tigers into the top 10 of the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll that saw Alabama, Clemson tumbled after road losses.
Sean McVay seemed to suggest Cooper Kupp sliding short of the first down late against the Bucs wasn't the best idea
Hear what Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady had to say after Sunday's dramatic win over the Los Angeles Rams
A change could be in the works during the bye week.
Freeze was asked about the Auburn opening after Liberty's win at Arkansas last Saturday. His response appeared to a pitch to John Cohen.
The Vikings have been tremendous in one-score games this season
Bears QB Justin Fields made the Dolphins defense pay with an impressive 61-yard touchdown run, and fans are loving it.
#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes was pleased with what he saw from new WR Kadarius Toney in his first action with the team.
Coy Gibbs, the son of legendary Washington football coach Joe Gibbs, died in his sleep at age 49 on Sunday morning.
Concerns over the Buffalo Bills’ troubling loss to the New York Jets were quickly overshadowed by even bigger worries regarding the status of Josh Allen’s throwing elbow on Monday. Suddenly, the entirety of the organization and its fanbase is holding its collective breath while awaiting the results of medical tests to determine the severity of Allen’s injury sustained in the final minutes of a 20-17 loss to the Jets — and what impact it will have on the second half of the season and the franchise’s Super Bowl aspirations. The reality, however, is bracing for the potential of having to turn over a very Allen-centric offense to journeyman backup Case Keenum to keep the AFC-leading Bills (6-2) afloat in the interim.
Watch Bare Knuckle FC president David Feldman spring into action as things spun out of control at BKFC 32 in Orlando.