CHELSEA manager Thomas Tuchel has backed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to “create his own history” in the number nine jersey at Stamford Bridge.
Aubameyang, 33, joined the Blues for £10.3m from Barcelona on deadline day.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Saturday’s league game at home to West Ham, he said expects the Gabon striker to bring a host of qualities to the squad.
Chelsea signed Aubameyang from Barcelona on the transfer deadline day on Thursday, as the 33-year-old sealed his return to the Premier League seven months after leaving Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal.
Aubameyang will be Chelsea’s newest No. 9, taking over from Romelu Lukaku who rejoined Inter Milan after a lackluster season at Stamford Bridge.
Several forwards who wore the No. 9 shirt — including Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, and Alvaro Morata — failed to leave a mark at Chelsea despite arriving with high expectations, but Tuchel has confidence in Aubameyang.
“If he is brave enough to take the nine [No. 9 shirt], he takes the nine,” Tuchel said.
“It’s on us to prove it, for me to find a position, to create enough support for him, and on him to finish our attacks. He is not afraid of the past and what a number means. He is ready to write his own history.”