USMNT
USMNT star Christian Pulisic reborn at AC Milan after Premier League struggles with Chelsea
The former Borussia Dortmund attacker has become a key figure in Stefano Pioli’s team in both Serie A and the Champions League.
USMNT star Christian Pulisic is going from strength to strength following his move to Italy and AC Milan. “Captain America” once again showed his quality during the Rossoneri’s home victory over Frosinone on Saturday, even getting the scoresheet with an eye-catching strike in the early stages of the second half.
The former Chelsea attacker brilliantly took down goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s pass in behind the opposition defence, raced into the box and clipped the ball high into the net to put his team 2-0 up in a game they went on to win 3-1.
Pulisic a key figure for AC Milan in Serie A
In the last couple of months, Pulisic has asserted himself as a key component of Stefano Pioli’s team, with the general feeling being that he has exceeded expectations following his arrival at San Siro last summer.
Little by little, Milan appear to be heading back in the right direction, aided by USMNT duo Pulisic and Yunus Musah. After a difficult end to his spell at Stamford Bridge, the Pennsylvania native has had regular game time once again since moving to Italy and has scored five goals and created another two more in just 12 Serie A appearances, although he is still searching for his first goal contribution in the Champions League.
Injuries hamper Premier League spell at Chelsea
Pulisic’s time in European soccer has been hampered by several injuries and losses of confidence, particularly in the Premier League. The 25-year-old impressed in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund between 2016 and 2019, earning a move to Chelsea. But the Londoners struggled to get the best out of one of the top US talents, who wasn’t helped by his frequent unavailability. In his four seasons in England, Pulisic had to sit out 63 competitive games, almost a third of the total played by the club during his time there.
Milan’s Champions League struggles
Milan got off to a fantastic start in Serie A this season, winning seven of their first eight games. Back-to-back league victories suggest they have now overcome a four-game wobble and although they have fallen six points behind league leaders Inter, there is still plenty of time for them to make up ground.
The Champions League, however, has been rather more problematic for them, however. Drawn in the “Group of Death alongside Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United, Pioli’s men must win away to the Magpies in their final group game and hope PSG lose in Germany if they are to progress to the knockout rounds.
Pulisic to lead Copa América and World Cup charge
The USMNT have, of course, been closely watching Milan and Pulisic, who is expected to lead his country into two huge tournaments on home soil over the next few yeats. Gregg Berhalter, despite being under fire for his style of play, has opted to build his team around the forward ahead of the 2024 Copa América and the 2026 World Cup, by which time Pulisic will be in his peak at 28 years old and expected to shine on the global stage.