Chelsea: £50m star now 'might get the nod' vs Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could start Saturday’s clash with Crystal Palace on the bench, with Armando Broja potentially set to get the nod from Graham Potter, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

Potter is yet to take charge of a Premier League match since moving to Stamford Bridge and will be hoping to get off to a winning start when he takes his side to south London.

What is the latest on Aubameyang?

The 32-year-old was the final permanent signing for Chelsea during the summer transfer window, with the £14 million fee paid to Barcelona taking the club’s outlay to more than £250 million.

After putting pen to paper, Aubameyang described it as ‘an honour’ to sign for Chelsea and claimed he had ‘unfinished’ business in the Premier League.

His future at Chelsea was thrown into uncertainty after Thomas Tuchel was sacked as manager, having previously been coached by the German at Borussia Dortmund.

Aubameyang has played two matches for his new club, starting against Dinamo Zagreb and Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League, despite continuing to nurse a broken jaw.

The striker suffered the injury shortly before his move to England after his home was burgled by four armed men in Barcelona, with Aubameyang being struck on the chin with an iron bar.

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What has Phillips said on the situation?

Because of Aubameyang’s recent knock, Phillips believes Broja may well be picked to start against Palace in his place.

The journalist emphasised that the former Arsenal star has not suffered a setback and is still ready to play should Potter call upon him.

Phillips told GIVEMESPORT: “Aubameyang is in full training. Nothing different there. I’m thinking that maybe because of that issue he might not start from the off on Saturday. Armando Broja might get the nod. But in terms of being ready to go he will certainly be in the squad.”

How has Broja performed this season?

Chelsea fended off plenty of interest in their young striker over the summer, with Newcastle and Everton among the sides to push hard for Broja’s signature.

The Blues reportedly valued him at £50 million yet he is yet to start a match in any competition this term.

The 21-year-old has made six appearances from the bench but is yet to find the target or provide an assist. But having scored nine goals in 38 games for Southampton last season, Broja has shown he has what it takes to perform in a Premier League side.

It will be interesting to see where he stands in Potter’s pecking order in a few weeks’ time.