OFFICIAL: Chelsea Signs A Striker And Defensive Midfielder (AUBA and ZAKARIA) On Transfer Deadline Day.

Chelsea have signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona in a £10 million deal.

The ex-Arsenal striker returns to the Premier League, and signed a two-year contract until 2024, with an option of another year. 

Aubameyang only moved to Camp Nou in January this year, after being frozen out at Emirates Stadium, but has returned to join fierce London neighbours Chelsea, with Marcos Alonso moving in the opposite direction after the mutual termination of his contract with the Blues.

The transfer of Aubameyang to Chelsea, would see him reunite with Thomas Tuchel who he has worked with before at Borussia Dortmund as he hopes to become the much needed central striker they are crying out for. He previously scored 92 goals through 163 appearances for Arsenal.

The 33-year-old also scored 13 goals in 23 appearances for Barca last season, helping Xavi's men rise from sixth in La Liga to finish as runners-up.

#️⃣9️⃣ #AubameyangIsChelsea pic.twitter.com/heVCX5mxQc

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 1, 2022

Aubameyang will wear the No.9 shirt for the Blues which is believed to be cursed. Considering that he wore No.14 at Arsenal, No.17 at Dortmund, and No.7 at Saint-Étienne, while at Barcelona he also had the No.17 and the No.25. While none of those numbers are available, we do have the No.11 that he wore at Monaco and Lille. Auba has always worn the No.9 for his national team however, so perhaps that will help him break the Curse.

On becoming a Chelsea player, Aubameyang said: ‘I’m really happy. It’s an honour to be part of this team and I can’t wait to start. I have some unfinished business with the Premier League so it’s good to be back and really exciting.’

 

Meanwhile, Swiss international Denis Zakaria has joined Chelsea on loan from Juventus for the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign, with an option of a permanent transfer at the end of the season.

The 25-year-old strong and energetic midfielder, rose to prominence in the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach, where he was most often deployed in a defensive midfield role. He can also play further forward or in the centre of defence.

On switching to Stamford Bridge, Zakaria said: ‘I want to say hi to all the Chelsea fans. I’m very happy and proud to be a Blue and I cannot wait to see you soon at Stamford Bridge.’

Both Auba and Zakaria will want to hit the ground running at Chelsea – with the Blues next in action against London rivals West Ham on Saturday.