Thomas Tuchel praises Aubameyang ahead of his Chelsea debut

The UEFA Champions League returns today, with Chelsea traveling to Stadion Maksimir to face Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb in their first group stage match of the tournament.

The Blues have included their new signing, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, in their squad against the Purgeri, which could be his debut for the Premier League club.

Ahead of the match, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has heaped praise on the 33-year-old striker, describing the Gabonese captain as an ambitious striker who is hungry for goals with points to prove.

"He is the type of player that is very ambitious, focused, and he is hungry to play for us and hungry to prove a point," Tuchel said in a press conference ahead of Chelsea's game against Dinamo Zagreb.

Aubameyang's move to Chelsea from Barcelona marks his second stint in the Premier League, having previously captained Arsenal in his five-year spell at the Emirates.

His arrival also puts an end to Chelsea's search for a talented center-forward to lead Thomas Tuchel's frontline, after poor performances from their record signing, Romelu Lukaku, last season.

The gifted striker, who joined Chelsea after only a year in the Spanish La Liga following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona from Bayern Munich, is well-versed in Premier League demands and could be the missing piece at Stamford Bridge.

Aubameyang scored 92 goals in 163 appearances for Arsenal during his time with the Gunners, and Chelsea will be hoping for a similar performance from the new center-forward.

Aubameyang is acquainted with Thomas Tuchel, having played under the German tactician at Borussia Dortmund, which may speed up his adaptation to his style and new teammates.

Following his move to Chelsea, Aubameyang hinted that he has unfinished business in the Premier League and would want to establish an impressive record in the blue shirt after leaving Arsenal because of a dispute.