What happens to Christian Pulisic now?
It’s a question on the minds of many U.S. fans after Pulisic didn’t secure a loan or transfer away from Chelsea. With the summer window now closed, the next couple months look bleak for the USMNT’s No. 10.
Pulisic wanted a move out of London, but the club denied him.
Christian Pulisic won't leave Chelsea this transfer window and the USMNT star is disappointed the club wouldn't allow him to go on loan, per @PaulTenorio pic.twitter.com/BU7ENbBGpl
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 29, 2022
Chelsea’s summer transfer window was active to say the least. The Blues brought in eight new players for a total bill of $310.19 million per Transfermarkt. There were also some big departures including Timo Werner going back to RB Leipzig and Romelu Lukaku going out on loan to Inter Milan. If only Pulisic could’ve jumped ship too.
Minutes are going to be scarce for Pulisic this season, and there’s a good chance his time on the field will be out of position. Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Tuesday was a chilling preview of what could happen this season. Manager Thomas Tuchel substituted Pulisic into the game in defense.
Chelsea are playing 3-5-2 with Pulisic right wing back. #CFC #SOUCHE
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) August 30, 2022
Tuchel has made his opinion on Pulisic extremely clear. He said he doesn’t trust the American and prefers to use him as a substitute for the final 25ish minutes of games. Pulisic’s minutes for his previous five games were: 25, 6, 26, 15 and 24.
This is code red for American fans, and the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona on transfer deadline day worsens the situation.
Welcome to Chelsea, Auba! #AubameyangIsChelsea
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 1, 2022
The arrival of Aubameyang combined with Hakim Ziyech not leaving the club on loan puts Pulisic even further down on Tuchel’s forward depth chart. Here’s an idea of how bad the situation is.
Chelsea Forwards Depth Chart
- 1. Raheem Sterling
- 2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- 3. Mason Mount
- 4. Kai Havertz
- 5. Hakim Ziyech
- 6. Christian Pulisic
- 7. Armando Broja
This list is based off who Tuchel has played more this season except for Aubameyang, who surely can’t be any worse than Mount and Havertz
Pulisic has a better chance appearing at right wing back than he does at forward. This means that in a World Cup year Pulisic will be playing limited minutes and likely out of position.
He will have to fight a very uphill battle for a starting spot. If nothing changes in the next months then perhaps he can leave in the winter transfer window after the World Cup.
This is horrific news for the USMNT and American fans.
Perhaps the only good news is that he can't get injured and miss the World Cup if he doesn't play.
