Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic was left in tears after being substituted while on international duty with USA.
The 21-year-old, who has started just four times for the Blues since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in the summer, was replaced on the hour as his country toiled against Canada in a CONCACAF Nations League match on Tuesday.
Pulisic departed with the game locked at 0-0 with the USA falling to their first defeat to Canada in 34 years following goals from Alphonso Davies and Lucas Cavallini.
Explaining his decision to haul off the former Borussia Dortmund star, head coach Gregg Berhalter said Pulisic had been struggling with “flu-like symptoms” in the days leading into Tuesday’s match, playing a factor in his decision to make the change.
Replays showed Pulisic telling his manager “I’m fine” before sitting down on the bench, however.
The £58m signing came off the bench to provide an assist in Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Southampton before the international break – his first appearance in the league since late August.
Frank Lampard’s side Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.
