USMNT
Christian Pulisic reveals the big differences between London and Milan
The USMNT star has looked right at home since signing for AC Milan last summer and has outlined his favourite parts of the Italian lifestyle.
By the end of his time at Chelsea, Christian Pulisic had started to look like a spare part. Now, less than a year after joining AC Milan, the USMNT star is a key player for one of the best teams in Italy.
Pulisic had been hailed for greatness since moving to German side Borussia Dortmund at the age of 15 and had taken on a leadership role within the national team set-up from a young age. But despite that early promise his big-money move to Chelsea turned sour and he fell out of favour at Stamford Bridge. The transfer to Milan became a necessary step, both to reignite his career and to refresh him personally.
“The lifestyle over here is definitely a shift from London,” Pulisic told Fox Sports. “Everything feels a bit slowed-down. Obviously nicer weather. It’s been a great change for me.
“Everything was moving kind of 100 miles an hour when I was in London, and the football culture was crazy,” he continued. “Here, I’ve been able to get away from the game, too, and enjoy the lifestyle, the culture, the food. I’m liking it a lot.”
AC Milan, last year’s Champions League semi-finalists, remain one of the most illustrious names in world soccer. But even the glint of their glittering history is a little more forgiving than the mega-watt glare of the Premier League.
Pulisic targeting success, both with USMNT and Milan
As European club soccer prepares to return to action for the crucial run-in, AC Milan sit in second place in Serie A. It has been a good campaign from Stefano Pioli’s men but they are 14 points adrift of league leaders and city rivals Inter Milan, who have all but secured the title.
But Milan still have a real chance of picking up major silverware this year and could win the club’s first continental title since their Champions League triumph since the 2006/07 season. Next month Pulisic and co. take on domestic rivals Roma in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, a competition that the club has never previously won.
Pulisic looks set to play a key role for Pioli’s side as they chase a European title. For the 25-year-old this season has given him the opportunity to regain his confidence and thrive at the heart of a winning team.
“He has really come through on his promises,” he said of Milan boss Stefano Pioli. “It’s not just knowing you’re going to play — it’s having someone who really spoke to me before and really wanted me to come in. He’s given me an opportunity to go out and be myself the best way I know how, and has fit into what works best for the team. I think we’ve found a good balance of that.”
Pulisic led USMNT to a third successive CONCACAF Nations League triumph over the international break, captaining the team in the final against Mexico. The boy wonder is starting to live up to his incredible potential and looks set to be the main man, both for USMNT and for Milan, for many years to come.