There has been a huge uproar in the United States over Pulisic being left out of the Chelsea team in recent games. The 21-year-old is seen as the gem in US soccer and Frank Lampard has upset a lot of people in the United States by not playing him. Pulisic was even left out of the 18 men matchday squad to face Lille last Wednesday in the Champions League.
With highly-rated youngster, Callum Hudson-Odoi now returning from injury Pulisic’s game time might be further reduced. Hudson-Odoi looked impressive coming off the bench against Lille and set up Chelsea’s late winner by skipping past a defender and crossing for Willian who volleyed home.
There have been a lot of question marks since Pulisic’s signing was announced in January with Sarri distancing himself from the signing saying that it was a decision by the club officials.
Sarri has since left for Juventus and has been replaced by Lampard who has not been impressed with Pulisic and sees Mount, Willian, and Pedro as better options on the wing.
With Eden Hazard leaving for Real Madrid and Chelsea being banned from signing players in the transfer window this was an ideal opportunity for Pulisic to show why he was so highly rated by fans around the world. Instead, Pulisic has not set the pitch on fire, looking frail and has been bullied off the ball too easily by the opposition defenders.
Former USMNT and Germany’s head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said that Pulisic needs to be ‘nasty’ in order to get himself into the Blues starting XI as a regular. Further saying that at Chelsea there is no assurance that he will get the game time he needs.
At the moment Pulisic is behind the likes of Willian, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, and Pedro in the pecking order, and with Willian and Mount in good form and Hudson-Odoi impressing from the bench, it is unlikely that the American will start in the next few games.
Pulisic next opportunity might come in the Round of 16 Carabao Cup clash against Manchester United on 31st October. The 21-year-old will know that he has to perform in that game or risk being shipped out on loan in January
