Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang arrived at Barcelona in the winter of the 2021-22 season and spent just six months at the club – albeit six memorable months.
He started 13 games and made 17 league appearances for the club in La Liga that season, scoring eleven goals and providing one assist and is fondly remembered for his special brace against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Unfortunately, however, his stay at the club was short as he was sold to Chelsea for a €12 million fee in September of the same year after Barcelona were forced to sell players to balance the books.
Aubameyang recollects his departure
In a recent interview, the former Barcelona striker revealed how he regretted his decision to leave the Catalan institution and how he had no choice then.
“It was a huge mistake to go to Chelsea. A bloody huge mistake,” he began.
He then spoke on how he had no option but to leave the club, given their economic situation and resultant need to sell players.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of FC Barcelona
Aubameyang left Barcelona for Chelsea. (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)
“At the time, I was going through a rough patch at Barça. My house had just been burgled, and Barça needed to sell either Depay or me,” he said.
On how he ended up at Chelsea as his next destination, the striker stated that it was the only option on his table and one he opted to accept for his family.
“The only offer on the table was Chelsea’s. I accepted. I would go for my family, even if I went to Chelsea.”
Finally, Aubameyang spoke an how his time at Chelsea turned out far from as rosy as he thought it would be.
“I thought it would go well. Giroud went from Arsenal to Chelsea and had no problems, but with me it was different.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo