Bundesliga has become a feeding ground for many of European football's biggest clubs to enter into and prise away their most valuable assets. One name that is continuously linked with a mega-money move to some of the greatest team's in the world is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. But is the hype surrounding the Gabon international legitimate or is he another overrated goalscorer?
The Borussia Dortmund forward has recently gathered a reputation throughout European football for being one of the continent's most deadly hitmen for his supreme talent of scoring vast amount of goals.
Since moving to the German outfit in 2013 from Ligue 1 side Saint Etienne, Aubameyang has reached the prime of his career under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp and more recently, Thomas Tuchel. However, despite scoring 25 league goals already this campaign, many believe that if he leaves Dortmund this summer for pastures new, the Gabon striker will struggle to adapt to life in a bigger club.
“Nonsense,” many would state. But when you take a closer look at the player's statistics, it's difficult to argue with his critics despite his never ending goalscoring exploits.
Growing into a star
Aubamayang joined the German outfit in 2013 for a fee of €17.5million and has since gone on to become the club's leading marksman - even replacing the apparently irreplaceable Robert Lewandowski. His first season at the club saw him partner the Polish international up front, but Aubameyang was played in a wider role rather than a central role which everyone has formalised themselves with the forward.
Nonetheless, 16 goals in his debut season - in a league he had no experience of playing in before - was an impressive tally for the former AC Milan forward to achieve. Most notably, the forward famously destroyed Arsenal in the Champions League the year after the club finished as runners-up to bitter rivals Bayern Munich in the final.
Following Lewandowski’s departure to Munich, the Gabonese international found himself playing more centrally. His goal tally further increased as he scored nine more goals in two fewer games during Jurgen Klopp's final season at the club.
However, it's under Thomas Tuchel where Aubameyang has really taken off as he managed to score 39 goals in 49 games last season. He remains on course to topple that record this season having already scored 32 goals in just 35, but can he do it for Real Madrid, Manchester City or Barcelona like mentioned?
A deeper look
As everyone who watches Dortmund on a frequent basis is aware of, Aubameyang can play anywhere across the front three of an attacking trio of the teams mentioned above.
In fact, Aubameyang has played the majority of his career playing as a wide winger with only the past couple of seasons seeing him becoming the deadly European hitman that he is renowned as.
But what would that mean if he did move onwards? Unlike those sides mentioned, Dortmund tend to play a lot of their football on the counter-attack when travelling to teams in the Champions League and regularly Bayern Munich domestically.
Those tactics implemented not only by Klopp but also Tuchel has seen a number of his goals scored from situations where the opposing teams were caught out due to the enormous numbers in the Dortmund box.
One of the biggest criticism's of Aubameyang's style of play is his frequency of missing chances. Sadly for the Aubameyang critics, the Gabon forward has a brilliant shooting accuracy of 67% this season in domestic competitions.
In fact, in 25 Bundesliga games this season, Aubameyang has scored 25 goals. Not only is that goal to game ratio 1:1 but the forward also has a chance conversion ratio of 33%.
In comparison, Diego Costa, Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero, and Paulo Dybala all have a lower chance conversion ratio in leagues that can be argued to be weaker than the Bundesliga.
Also watch: Fact of the day - Bayern and Dortmund's Bundesliga dominance
But is he still overrated?
Another factor that lends to his credential is that the forward still manages to create a number of chances for his team-mates. So far in the Bundesliga, Aubameyang has created 24 chances for his fellow team-mates - resulting in two assists also.
Question marks still surround the forward, however, in regards to whether he should be deemed world class (hence the comparisons to the forwards mentioned). But would any of the players mentioned have a bigger impact on a supreme European side like Aubameyang is being linked with?
It's difficult to be aware at this stage whether Aubameyang could make the grade at either Real Madrid or Manchester City.
Not many clubs share the same ambitions or have the demands from owners like others, but Aubameyang has shown endlessly he's ready for a big money move away from the club.
His statistics cannot be denied and not many can state honestly player isn't deserving of his chance, however, until he produces these figures for one of the great side's, the player may continue to have his doubters and critics.
Would you like to see Aubameyang playing for your football team?
Related: Big Match Focus - Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund
