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Football London

Sport

Josh Holland & Tom Coley

Christian Pulisic Chelsea transfer latest: Borussia Dortmund goal, USMNT hope, Leeds United

Christian Pulisic Graham Potter Manchester City Carney Chukwuemeka Enzo Fernandez EPL John Stones Fulham

Chelsea star Christian Pulisic has been out of action since coming out second best in a collision with John Stones in the Premier League defeat to Manchester City on January 5.

Having started the 2-0 win over Bournemouth in late December and the 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest on New Year's Day, USA international Pulisic was in action for a third time in the space of just over a week against City, but his knock has forced him out for over two months now as he finally nears a return.

The injury put an end to any speculation surrounding a late January exit from Stamford Bridge amid interest from Turkish side Galatasaray. And while his future at the club remains in doubt, Graham Potter will be hoping to have the 24-year-old back sooner rather than later this season.

football.london brings you the latest on Pulisic's situation at Stamford Bridge...

Newcastle and Real Madrid moves weighed up

Newcastle, who showed interest in Pulisic throughout the summer and briefly in January before his injury, are still keeping tabs on the 24-year-old. Now, former USMNT defender Alexi Lalas has discussed five potential destinations for the winger on the State of the Union Podcast.

He said: "A move to Italy, specifically to AC Milan, could get him back in a situation where he's playing on a consistent basis. It's not the AC Milan of the 80s and 90s, we all understand that. Having said that, there is opportunity.

"The way the game is played and the type of winger that he is, at his best, Pulisic could be Del Piero-best. We have not seen his best but maybe going to Italy could draw that out."

He has also been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid but Lalas doesn't see that being a good move. "The concerns there are the style, the Simeone way," he continued. "But Simeone might be going out and so that's why this is intriguing. But the general style of La Liga would suit him more than maybe the rough and tumble style of that Premier League.

"My caveat there would be if he's getting berated every week by Simeone. I would hate for him to go to La Liga, play for Atletico Madrid and defending most of the time rather than showing his god given talents."

Eddie Howe's Newcastle are next on his list. "Newcastle, we know, is heading in an upwards trajectory. Newcastle is a work in progress but what a hell of a work in progress it is. I think sooner rather than later, they are going to find a way to that elite status," Lalas said.

"If I'm Christian Pulisic, the way that they want to play, he is a welcomed addition, because it's not the highest level, where you have that pressure. The pressure wouldn't be as great. He gets to stay in the Premier League and continue with that project. He represents a skill, ability and talent that is that next level for Newcastle."

The ideal destination is Real Madrid though. "We have heard rumours about Real Madrid. I don't know how much to believe them, but unlike all of these others, this is undoubtedly a step-up, a massive step-up. An American playing at Real Madrid," Lalas continued.

"I don't think Pulisic will walk into Real Madrid and find a way to start. But, stranger things have happened. Maybe, if he goes into a situation where he's playing at one of the elite teams, in a league that has two elite teams, that pressure is only relevant when playing for one of the greatest teams in the world.

"A part of me says, it's an offer you can't refuse, Real Madrid. Pulisic has made plenty of money, he'll continue to make plenty of money, so he doesn't have to go places necessary for money. But I think it represents so much. I do think it's almost the culmination of the project that is Pulisic, if this was to come to be."

Borussia Dortmund reunion

Pulisic is back in training but is yet to return to a matchday squad, still missing out against Leeds on Saturday. With a game against former side Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday there will be hope that Pulisic can make a quick recovery in time to feature in some part.

During three seasons in Bundesliga footbal he played 90 times, scoring 13 times and getting 18 assists in the league with almost all of those coming as a teenager. It was there that his name was truly made as a promising star. Things haven't worked out as hoped since his move to London though and the meeting with his former employers may yet come too soon for a fairytale reunion.

Leeds transfer

Lalas also added that Leeds could be an option for Pulisic with their American contingent, if the Yorkshire side stay up this season. he said: "This is familiarity. This is certainly a step down within the Premier League. However, there are those who argue, and I can certainly make this argument, when it comes to Leeds, this is a team that we know will struggle, a team that needs something.

"The caveat with this one is if Leeds stay up. I do not want Christian Pulisic playing in the Championship. But if Leeds were to stay up, that would be a potential move. He's got his friends there, he's got that American connection.

"It would be a very different environment because no matter what happens, Leeds will continue to be this team that struggles each and every year just to be a medium-sized level - in terms of performance - inside the Premier League. But there might be a comfort and that step down may provide him an opportunity to do some different things."

Potter update

Graham Potter has revealed that despite progress being made, Pulisic is still not ready to return to action for Chelsea. Speaking ahead of the match against Tottenham, Potter explained the latest, saying: "We've had a good week's training, everyone is available apart from N'Golo and Christian Pulisic. They are joining the warm-ups and will be more intergrated next week."

Pulisic now hasn't played since January 5 and is set to go two months without an appearance for the club. It is the 10th game of the season he has missed with injury and the 55th at the club.

Back in training

Christian Pulisic has been handed a major training boost ahead of the rest of the season. Having not played since the start of January he has been pictured training once more.

In an image posted on his Instagram stories, Pulisic wrote: "Back outside boyz" with him and Mount with an arm around each other's shoulder.

Potter provides further update

After the January transfer window closed, Potter was asked whether Pulisic's future was dependent on the injury. He said: "No chance, no, he will be out past that [January transfer deadline] and there was never any consideration about him leaving anyway. He is a couple of months out.

"He is disappointed but he is optimistic about coming back quicker than two months. He is in that phase where he is keeping his fingers crossed and hoping his rehab goes well."

What happened to Pulisic?

A clash with John Stones on the 20-minute mark saw Pulisic hobble off with a knee injury in place of youngster Carney Chukwuemeka. In all fairness to Stones, it was a superb tackle that halted a clear-cut opportunity for the home side to take the lead on the quarter-way point, though it was unfortunate that Pulisic became a victim.