One of the frustrating themes of Christian Pulisic’s Chelsea career so far has been the lack of momentum or consistency. The American has regularly had good spells stalled by an injury which has meant weeks out as others take up the minutes.
Though probably the most consistent thing about Pulisic at Stamford Bridge has been scoring against Crystal Palace.
Pulisic’s goal on Saturday marked his fifth Premier League strike against the Eagles since joining in the summer of 2019. He scored home and away in the 2019/20 season, before netting twice in the 4-1 win at Selhurst Park back in April of this year.
Chelsea’s second on Saturday was scrappy in execution as a loose ball was bundled in by Pulisic. It was not the most aesthetically pleasing of Chelsea's three goals on the day, but it provided more evidence of how devastating a player Pulisic can be when fit and starting from his favoured left-sided position.
The chance to start on Saturday could be seen as good fortune following an unexpected injury to Hakim Ziyech in the Super Cup last Wednesday. Even with Pulisic’s good form against Chelsea’s opening Premier League opponents, Ziyech had put in a strong run of pre-season performances to justify a starting place.
Notably, Pulisic was in an attacking three alongside Timo Werner and Mason Mount from the left. Pretty regularly Tuchel has fielded the winger on the right of the Blues attack like he did at Borussia Dortmund. Although this could be to accommodate Werner’s preferred movements on the same flank, Pulisic has always looked more influential making inverted runs from a wide left position for Chelsea than anywhere else.
One of the things Pulisic has consistently shown since his arrival from Dortmund, is his great anticipation inside the six-yard box.
Five of the 11 goals in his first season were one-touch finishes inside the box. There were some more standout solo-runs where he dribbled past defenders from outside the box as seen against Burnley, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal. But equally close-range finishes were as vital to win the Blues points in his opening year against Watford, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa.
Pulisic for club and country has also shown himself to be capable of producing big moments on pressurised stages. The winning penalty for his nation against Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League Final a week following Chelsea’s Champions League triumph was a major test of nerves which he passed with flying colours.
His form following Project Restart in June 2020 was exhilarating to witness. Along with his goals, Pulisic’s overall threat terrified defences leading up to the FA Cup Final against Arsenal where he scored the opener. A hamstring injury that forced him off early in the second half piled more misery onto to a day where Chelsea lost control of the final as Arsenal came back to win 2-1.
A slow return for the start of last season meant Pulisic trailed behind the new summer arrivals of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, and Hakim Ziyech. Another injury setback in the warm-up away to Burnley further dented any hope of reclaiming his sensational summer form.
A goal off the bench to secure a victory over Leeds United in early December and a promising outing against West Ham before Christmas gave hope things may be turning. Though his form in the last few weeks of Frank Lampard’s tenure did little to impress.
It would be unfair to call the 2020/21 season a write-off for Pulisic, given his major influence in the Champions League Semi-Final victory over Real Madrid. In the first leg, Pulisic made a cutting diagonal run in behind the Los Blancos back-line. Slowing the ball down and setting himself before flooring Thibaut Courtois and drilling a fierce shot into the net.
In the second leg his raw pace on the right helped Chelsea finish off the tie as his assist for Mason Mount secured the Blues place in a final they would go onto win.
As Tuchel has shown a willingness to rotate, there is a good chance the 22-year-old will pick up a good amount of minutes this season even with competition for places so fierce. Though Pulisic should be aiming for more than just a rotational role for Chelsea.
Pulisic’s off-the-ball runs, good finishing and anticipation all make him a player who could become a superstar at Stamford Bridge. The nagging doubt whenever supporters have conversations about Pulisic they quickly bring up his concerning injury record.
It is fair to point out that Pulisic is not the only attacker who has question marks over his fitness. Ziyech’s most recent injury adds to a fractured start to life in London for the Moroccan, and Callum Hudson-Odoi too has suffered notable setbacks which have been well documented.
Given Pulisic’s smaller physique and style, he is victim to more physical tests within a game. Against Porto in the Champions League Quarter-Final second leg, the American was fouled 11 times, which was the most recorded in a single Champions League match since Lionel Messi in 2011.
Pulisic has spent most of his life being the smallest player on the pitch as from his earliest football years he would play with kids two years older in his hometown of Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Eden Hazard came in for similar treatment but managed to add some muscle to his physique in able to cope with the intensity of Premier League competition. Pulisic can ill afford to spend many more weeks twiddling his thumbs whilst his peers assert their names in a highly competitive lineup.
Pulisic has spoken out about the need to maintain fitness and sounded confident via Standard Sport.
"Staying healthy is definitely a big target of mine. And trying to be available as much as I can to continue to help my team and make a big impact. We have so many games that you’re going to get your time, so it’s just about making the most of your chances."
It is not just about preventing injury for Pulisic this season.
His form has been erratic and for every brilliant performance against Palace or Real Madrid, he fails to impress against Aston Villa or Villarreal. There is a frustration amongst some supporters Pulisic can appear too individualistic on the pitch as he attempts to take on too many opponents, only to lose possession wastefully.
Good teams need players that evoke chaos in the final third and Pulisic at his best falls into this category. There is more fine tuning to do for Tuchel to craft him into a more consistent threat like Mason Mount has become.
Tuchel was heard berating his No.10 from the sidelines on Saturday in the first half as Pulisic failed to take on an opponent when the opportunity was there to do so.
Pulisic has huge potential to imprint his mark on this Chelsea team and Saturday’s goal will hopefully provide the right springboard for a season that takes him back to the heights he achieved during his first year.
Social media have labelled him 'Captain America', but it is up to Pulisic whether he becomes a major super-hero at Chelsea or just a forgotten sidekick.
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