The tussle is heating up
The blues starting line up for next season is not one that will be easily predicted especially in the attacking area of the field. Sportmata’s Matheson takes a look at 5 reasons why Christian Pulisic must up his game in the fight for starting places.
Pulisic was signed up from Borussia Dortmund during the winter transfer window in 2019, in a deal worth about 58million euros but was immediately loaned back to the club until the end of the 2018/2019 season.
Christian Mate Pulisic was signed as a replacement for former Blues winger, Eden Hazard who was already in the final year of his contract with the Stamford Bridge outfit and was at that time linked with a big money move Spanish Giants Real Madrid CF.
Photo: Gettyimage
Captain America as Pulisic is popularly called, has failed to live up to expectations and having to deal with alot of problems on and off the pitch, and injuries inclusive.
Pulisic, at the very beginning of the season was a regular in Frank Lampard’s squad until he was later dropped out of the starting line up even though statistics showed that the attacker had influence on the blues attack in the final third, through the assists he contributed.
After coming on as a substitute for Chelsea FC in a UEFA Champions League tie against Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena and running the opposition down the left flank and creating chances as Michy Batshuayi scored the only goal of the tie. Frank Lampard deemed it fit for the youngster to start the next game against Burnley and Captain America duly delivered as Dyche’s men were beaten 4-2 courtesy of the American’s perfect hatrick (left,right foot and header).
Photo: Gettyimage
He scored again in the next match but since sustaining an injury, the American was not seen again in the starting line up as the Blues had to depend on their old guards as even youngster Callum Hudson Odoi was also injured.
Pulisic has to get back into the fight for starting places as next season may mar his young career. Here are five reasons why.
1. Rise of Callum Hudson Odoi
The pressure and competition for places on the right flank of the blues attack would be high as the Blues have a good number of players in that department and this includes the likes of Willian, Pedro and rising star Hudson Odoi.
This means that Pulisic will have to deal with the treat of Odoi who is gradually becoming a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge.
Photo: Hudson Odoi (Gettyimage)
2. Signing of Hakim Ziyech
The signing of 27year old Morocco International was to add more quality to the Blues attack in the final third. Ziyech have set lofty target for himself claiming he wants to reach same height as Blues Legend Didier Drogba as reported by Standard.co.uk.
Players with such mindset are very ambitious and hence, difficult to ignore by any Coach as they will work their way into the Manager’s good books.
With the level of experience that Hakim Ziyech is bringing to Stamford Bridge, no one expects him to sit on the bench and hence Pulisic must rise and stake a claim to his place in the squad.
Photo: Hakim Ziyech (Gettyimage)
3. Impatience at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea FC is a club where instant impact and immediate success is the expectation of the Board and likewise the fans. Hence, when a player is signed, he is expected to have and immediate impact or risks being sold or loaned out.
Pulisic does not have enough time on his side as the board and fans could grow frustrated not seeing the impact of a player that was signed for a huge fee. He needs to up his game or risks being a Bakayoko.
4. Growing list of Versatile players at Stamford Bridge
It is easy for one to draw a long list of players that could play a similar role to Pulisic and will execute the job to near perfection. These includes the likes of Ruben Loftus-cheek and Mason Mount. Both players are very talented and could be seen many atimes drifting outwide in space and trying to come in a and get a shot on goal.
Photo: Mason Mount (Gettyimage)
Photo: Chelsea FC (Facebook)
5. Possible Coutinho signing
The imminent signing of the 27year old Brazilian star, Philip Coutinho could spell the end of young and promising career of youngster Pulisic if he fails to pin down a spot in the starting eleven of the Blues.
According to Express.co.uk, Chelsea have been told they don’t need to sign Philippe Coutinho this summer because they already have a number ten at the club. ESPN pundit Don Hutchison argued that Chelsea will risk losing Christian Pulisic if they end up signing the Brazilian.
Pulisic must do more to remain in this Chelsea FC squad if he doesn’t want to be tagged a failure in England, as this is now the tradition in England. We wish him all the best in his young career