Aubameyang joined Chelsea with a broken jaw, but Tuchel is optimistic that he will recover quickly.
Despite Chelsea’s worrying lack of firepower, which has caused them to stutter at the start of the Premier League season, Thomas Tuchel will not rush Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back to fitness.
Aubameyang joined Chelsea on a deadline day for £12 million from Barcelona, but he arrived with a broken jaw.
The ex-Arsenal forward, 33, is a much-needed addition to Chelsea’s attack after Tuchel parted ways with Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner this summer.
He was in west London on Saturday to watch Chelsea beat West Ham 2-1. Blues fans, on the other hand, will have to wait a little longer to see Aubameyang in action.
“I can’t tell you if he trains full contact or individually. He has the mask. If the doctors tell me the mask is good and he’s comfortable with it, then that would be OK,” Tuchel said.
“But we need to check it with no contact, half contact and full contact. In the end we need to see how it is. It’s too early to make a prediction.”
Chelsea will travel to Croatia on Monday before facing Dynamo Zagreb in their first Champions League group game of the season on Tuesday. Tuchel is confident he has the necessary firepower despite the absence of Aubameyang.
“I think he will always be able to [help us] but first he needs to train with us,” Tuchel said.
“It’s a struggle at the moment to talk about individuals and Auba, who has not even been on the bench. We said [over] the last two days we need to define ourselves as a team, and team effort must come first.
“Auba will be part of a strong group and this group is now the objective is to shape this group, toughen this group up. It’s my responsibility to fight better, and have answers to any questions we are asked. Auba will be a huge part but today it was Armando [Broja], Kai [Havertz] and Chilly [Ben Chilwell] from the bench.”
Tuchel was also able to sign Wesley Fofana before the transfer deadline, bringing his total summer spending to £267 million. On Saturday, he started four new players, including Raheem Sterling at center, Marc Cucurella on the wing, and Kalidou Koulibaly at the back.
And the coach is pleased that the team has been strengthened across the squad.
“For us it’s an immense boost to have the window closed,” Tuchel said.
“We now have the right and the chance to demand full commitment. There’s no way out anymore.
“We are the group for Chelsea who wants the best possible outcome and results, and we have to take responsibility from here. I’m happy with everyone in the group.
“There’s a reason everybody is here in this group and we wanted to use this momentum, kick start this season and I’m happy we got the luck [against West Ham] that was necessary.”
FOLLOW US: FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | REDDIT
