Christian Pulisic's time at Chelsea appears to be coming to an end as he struggles for fitness at a decisive time in his career. The 24-year-old has only played twice in 2023 and has spent the year in the treatment room once more.
His injury issues are well documented but the most recent setback came at a vital time for the American. With injuries throughout the squad and teammate Raheem Sterling hobbling off minutes before Pulisic's own trouble began against Manchester City, there was a chance to prove Graham Potter and fans wrong.
Hakim Ziyech has been afforded a rare luxury of starting since Pulisic went off in early January and that was the type of opportunity sought by the USMNT star. He has struggled for consistent game time or a run of starts over his career in London and the latest period out has come at a poor time.
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Since his last appearance the Blues have signed three attacking players that would deem Pulisic a direct rival for a spot in the side whilst the expected arrival of Christopher Nkunku also adds future competition. football.london understands that Pulisic being unavailable for at least two months also did his chances of moving on some damage too.
Having only scored one goal all season and with bold new plans for the frontline Pulisic was one of many that Chelsea were open to offers for in the winter. When he returns the battle for a spot will be more congested than ever with an entire XI of attackers on the books at Stamford Bridge.
It is the overload of numbers that former Spurs and USA keeper Brad Friedel thinks poses the biggest threat to Pulisic. Speaking to SportingPost he said: "It goes back to having too many players at Chelsea. Look at who he is up against.
"I’m not one of those people who says someone should leave if they’re not playing because I believe you need to fight for your place and prove your worth. But if there aren’t going to be opportunities, Christian is one of the most important players for the USMNT so we’re going to want him to be playing consistently.
"He has a year left on his contract but I’m sure there is someone out there that will want him. Then it’s down to the money side. I’ve never spoken to him so I don’t know what he wants, whether he wants to stay and fight for his place or if he wants a new challenge."
Pulisic is one of many with a major contract decision to make. Alongside Mason Mount, whose deal expires in 2024 as well, Chelsea have made their stance clear and will resolve issues this summer rather than wait and lose players on a free. The positive for Pulisic is that interest in him hasn't been in short supply.
Both Manchester United and Newcastle have made enquiries whilst Juventus were also a club that explored the logistics of a move last year. AC Milan are another that have previously been on the table. It is, as Freidel says, the price and his wages which may dictate where he ends up.
Given the baseball style contracts Chelsea are pushing Pulisic is unlikely to commit himself to the Blues given his struggles since joining in 2019 meaning that a departure is almost the only real option available to him.
"It’s going to be one of those summers where either he is told he is in Chelsea’s plans and they offer him a new deal, or he gets sold," agrees Freidel. "Looking at things I’m thinking it’s probably the latter and we’ll see him somewhere else which could be good for him to play consistently."
Also in the back of Pulisic's mind will be the 2026 World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico. He will be coming into his peak years by then and having a settled club career will be important for the man that carries the most expectation out of any USMNT player in the current landscape.
If Boehly and Co. are willing to turn down the chance of promoting Chelsea with a USA global sporting star - a factor that seemed last summer to be perfect for both parties - then Pulisic's future is certainly likely to be away from SW6.
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