We used Football Manager to find Chelsea’s perfect Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang alternative

Chelsea have been fairly impressive in their summer recruitment drive so far.

The arrivals of Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Marc Cucurella all look to have considerably strengthened Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI, while the signing of Carney Chukwuemeka shows that the Blues still have one eye firmly fixed on the future.

Ideally, however, you would imagine that Tuchel would still like to bring in an out-and-out centre-forward to act as a more traditional focal point for his attack.

Barcelona star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been touted as one potential option, but amid a whirlwind of rumours, there are no guarantees that a deal is in the pipeline.

With that in mind, who should Chelsea look to sign as other potential options before the transfer window closes?

We turned to Football Manager 22 to find out.

The popular video game franchise is renowned for its meticulous detail and authentic approach to the world of, well, football management, and we thought we’d use its extensive transfer scouting system to ask it who would be the ideal alternative to Aubameyang.

Check out all of its suggestions below...

Lautaro Martinez

The Argentina striker is perennially linked with a move away from Inter Milan, and with 99 goal involvements in 182 outings for the Italian giants, it’s easy to see why he is constantly mentioned alongside some of Europe’s biggest names.

Alvaro Morata

Morata’s first spell at Chelsea was hardly a runaway success, but he’s started the new campaign at a canter for Atletico Madrid. Has he changed enough for the Blues to consider a stunning reunion? Football Manager certainly seems to think so.

Hulk

The big Brazilian is back in home country with Atletico Mineiro these days after a bizarre stint in China. At 36, it could prove to be his last major contract, although 23 goals in 38 games this term would suggest that he still has plenty to offer.

Wissam Ben Yedder

Another darling of the gossip columns, the French internatioal is thriving at AS Monaco. Could he be tempted into a Premier League run before he hangs up his boots?

Arkadiusz Milik

The Poland striker has operated in Robert Lewandowski’s shadow for much of his international career, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t offer plenty. His recent permanent arrival at Marseille all but rules out a move this summer, but a good season in France could open all sorts of doors for him.

Mauro Icardi

According to various sources Icardi could be on the move this summer, with PSG keen to facilitate his exit from the club in the coming days. As time ticks away and Chelsea’s hunt for a striker persists, could this become a mutually beneficial prospect for both parties?

Gabriel Barbosa

Also known as Gabigol, the Brazilian has been ripping it up for Flamengo back in his home country - so much so that a number of Premier League clubs have touted as potential suitors in recent months. His previous stint in Europe with Inter was a bit of a damp squib, but he looks like a new player, and is surely deserving of a second bite of the cherry.

Alexander Isak

In some respects, Isak might be the best option on this list. Young and highly sought after, the Swede continues to go from strength to strength for Real Sociedad, and whoever is fortunate to eventually win the race to become his next club will be signing one of Europe’s best emerging talents.