Is This The Best Version of Christian Pulisic?
Milan, Italy — Americans have long awaited the arrival of a true soccer superstar for decades. While players like Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel, Tim Howard, and Landon Donovon all represented the Stars and Stripes in some of the most elite leagues in the world, none of them were ever considered one of the game’s best. However, it looked like that was all going to change in the fall of 2016, as Pennsylvania native Christian Pulisic began to raise eyebrows in the German Bundesliga. The winger’s hyper-technical dribbling and proclivity for evading defenders made him a finalist for 2017 Golden Boy award. After four seasons with BVB, Pulisic made the move to Chelsea for a whopping €64 million, the highest fee ever for a North American player. Pulisic would go on to make 145 appearances for the Blues, but his time in London was marked by injuries and inconsistent playing time.
As the 2023 summer transfer window approached, rumors of Pulisic’s possible move from Chelsea intensified. With a bloated squad full of midfielders and attacking players, the London-side decided to offload the American in July, selling Pulisic for €25.00m to Serie A club AC Milan. Since arriving in Italy, Pulisic has featured as one of the side’s most prolific players, reminding soccer fans around the globe what he’s capable of doing with the ball at his feet.
The winger has already notched four goals and one assist for Milan in just eight league games. Pulisic’s scoring record is already greater than his Chelsea total in the 2022-23 season where he netted just one. The 25-year-old is on pace to break his single-season goals record, a mark he set in the 2019-20 Premier League campaign when he tallied nine in 25 appearances.
It hasn’t just been the American’s statistics that have made headlines, it’s also been the winger’s perceived comfortability with his new club. In Milan, Pulisic is surrounded by familiar faces, he is joined by fellow American Yunus Musah, as well as former Chelsea players Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Olivier Giroud. Not only has Pulisic seemed to gel with his teammates, but the Milan faithful have embraced the USA international in an overwhelming fashion.
The former “wonderkid” has come alive playing on the opposite wing of reigning Serie A player of the year Rafael Leão. While Pulisic has earned international recognition for his dribbling, it’s been the American’s versatility and finishing ability that has really shined in Italy. Pulisic’s four goals have come on just 2.16 xG, with multiple scores coming as the 25-year-old has drifted into a more central role.
Even when the American was struggling at club level, Pulisic has always seemed to perform well in a USMNT kit. The AC Milan man is already top 10 in goals for the national team, something that was on full display as the attacker was a standout in team USA’s 3-1 defeat to Germany in a friendly on Saturday. Pulisic’s lone goal was just about the only bright spot for the United States, further emphasizing the skill difference between the winger and many of his American teammates.
Photo: Omar Vega/Getty Images
In Italy, Pulisic has rejuvenated his career and has proven why he was such a coveted player as a teenager. Regardless of the critics who have berated him for, at times, inconsistent performances, the American has blazed the way for future USA internationals looking to break through in major European sides. It’s unlikely that Pulisic will ever live up to the lofty expectations and Hazard-like comparisons that were placed on him, however, the Hershey native has made himself into a consistent and productive professional player. Although the hype around Pulisic has certainly quieted throughout the years, we may be witnessing the best version of the attacker ever.
