Pulisic has had a tough time breaking into Lampard’s lineup, but given the enormous talent he is, the youngster should see more playing time very soon
58 million euros. The most expensive American player ever. Pulisic sealed a record deal with the Blues last January from German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund, whom he made his senior debut with at the tender age of 16. He went on to finish last season with Dortmund, eventually joining the blues in the summer.
His Chelsea career started off on a good foot, making a positive impression in the Blues PK defeat to Liverpool in the UEFA Super Cup back in mid-August, just days after playing 32 minutes as a substitute in Chelsea’ 4-0 loss to Manchester United in the Premier League opener. In that match against Jurgen Klopp’s side, Pulisic proved exactly why Chelsea spent so much money to sign the American phenom. He was exciting down the flank, assisting Olivier Giroud‘s goal. The 20-year old was dangerous every time he had the ball at his feet, making ambitious runs at one of the best back-lines in the world and using his lightning-quick speed to beat them when the opportunities presented themselves.
Then after that match against the Reds in Istanbul, Pulisic would start the next three Premier League matches for Frank Lampard against Leicester City, Norwich City, and Sheffield United. He tallied just one assist in those three appearances. Pulisic didn’t play in one PL match during all of September, starting just a league cup appearance against Grimsby town. He would finally get some Premier League minutes on October 6th, where he played for the last ten minutes in a 4-1 thrashing of Southampton, registering an assist in the short time he was on the pitch.
He’s clearly fallen out of favor with Lampard, as he’s gone with more in-form players like Mason Mount, who he coached last year at Derby County. No one said life would be easy for Pulisic at Chelsea, but considering their transfer ban, I’m sure most people expected him to be a starter at Stamford Bridge considering he was reportedly brought in to replace Eden Hazard. Although he hasn’t played a lot, Pulisic is yet to even score a goal in a blues uniform.
Pulisic lost his place in Dortmund’s starting eleven last year to Jadon Sancho, so he’s used to this happening. But considering how expensive he was, there is no way Chelsea is giving up on him and no chance he is giving up on breaking into Lampard’s lineup.
There is no doubting his talent. He was and still is one of the more exciting young players in the world. Like I said above, his performance against Liverpool in mid-August in a prime example of the player that Pulisic is. He’s a dangerous threat who is wonderful in one-on-one situations and can dribble as well as anyone.
He may be short in confidence right now given the lack of playing time at Chelsea, but this side is full of young players. If he continues to work hard in training and make an impression when he gets his opportunities to show off his talent, good things are going to come his way.
Lampard made it clear a few weeks back that he will put the correct lineup on the pitch every match given who deserves their place. He’s made it clear that there is no favoritism happening.
There’s no doubting that Pulisic will have it tough in order to play full 90-minute matches. Callum Hudson-Odoi, Pedro, Mason Mount, Willian, and Ross Barkley are all competing for playing time at similar positions.
But there is a reason why the Blues brought in Pulisic. They believed that he was the right man to bring a dynamic attacking flair to Stamford Bridge. Although he hasn’t shown that too much quite yet, his time will come. We have to remember how young he really is. The 20-year old is barely out of his teen years and his best years of football are still ahead of him.
It’s probably not the start that Christian Pulisic was hoping for to begin his Premier League career. But as we have seen with many top players, it’s never an easy transition coming from another European league to England. It’s a different style of play and he’s also at an enormous club in the heart of London.
He will find his footing though. Pulisic is a very talented player who Chelsea is lucky to have at their disposal. I have zero doubts that the young American will see more time on the pitch in the very near future for the blues. Pulisic will find his form very soon.