Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic does not feel any added pressure from wearing the famous number 10 shirt this season.
Pulisic signed for the Blues last summer, and initially took the No. 22 for his new club after completing a move from Borussia Dortmund.
However, with Willian moving to Arsenal in the summer, the famous shirt became free at Stamford Bridge and the American forward pounced on the opportunity.
Some greats of the club have worn the number 10 top in the past, with Willian and Eden Hazard being the last two to occupy it.
Juan Mata and Joe Cole have also had the shirt at times in recent years, and going back even further, the late, but great Ray Wilkins was also #10.
Despite some top players wearing it in the past, Pulisic has insisted he does not feel any pressure from choosing the number.
“No, I don’t feel like the number is going to put extra pressure on me. I’ve been No. 10 for the national team for a while, as well,” Pulisic told CBS Sports.
“It’s not something I’m thinking about too much, especially while I’m playing. It’s a number on my shirt. Of course I want to perform, but I put pressure on myself for other reasons. I don’t feel like it’s adding any pressure.”
It was a slow start for the USA international in London, but especially after last season’s three-month hiatus, Pulisic really started to show his quality for the Blues.
The 22-year-old finished the 2019-20 season with 11 goals in all competitions in his debut campaign in England, and it was a rollercoaster of a campaign: "A lot of ups and downs. It’s tough to describe with the pandemic and everything that hit,” he said assessing the season.
“It seemed like a lot of things were changing all the time. Coming back from an (abductor) injury, I felt I had a new beginning and a really strong end to the season.
“So I was definitely proud of how I finished it off. But I think I just learned so much. Whether it was not being involved at the beginning so much - not playing as much - to getting into my role and finding my role on the team.
“I think I improved a lot. Just learned so much, so I’m really happy with where I stand now with the club.”
