Liverpool eyeing Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic
Liverpool are lining up a surprising move for Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic as Sadio Mane’s replacement, as per latest updates from German journalist Christian Falk.
Rumours surrounding his move to Anfield have resurfaced after three years, following another substandard season at Chelsea. Across just 22 appearances in a period where he was plagued by injuries, Pulisic managed six goals and a couple of assists in the Premier League. The fact that he was used in as many as five positions speaks volumes regarding Thomas Tuchel’s struggles in finding the right combination with a trio that lacked consistency.
Mane enjoyed his fourth season scoring 20 plus goals across all competitions for Liverpool as they marched to two domestic cup titles. Having already hinted at his potential move, the Senegalese superstar is set to join Bayern Munich in what would be a new challenge.
Pulisic, therefore, appears as a like-for-like replacement at left wing. Still only 23, Pulisic has the world at his feet given the wealth of experience on the big stages for club and country. Recently, Pulisic’s father posted a cryptic tweet expressing his distress over his son’s playing time at West London.
Tuchel, who like Jurgen Klopp, has previously coached Pulisic at Borussia Dortmund, maintained “It’s a normal thing [frustration at not playing]. Every manager, we have our reasons to choose a line-up and have our reasons to go for players in the first eleven. You will never see in this kind of level of competition happy faces from players that are not selected.”
He also added “For me and Christian exists zero problem. He had a fantastic training week so far, he is in some matches a huge impact from the bench. From him and everybody else, it has nothing to do with any tweet or reaction from agent or fathers. I didn’t even know it.”
As Chelsea use up to five defenders and two midfielders, there’s immense competition for places with Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi fighting for spots in the front three alongside Pulisic.
Surely, given how dexterous he happens to be, playing left or right wing-back is not a long-term option for the USA international. Currently under contract until 2024, it’ll be a big decision for the club and the player should this rumour materialize.
Although there’s currently a push for consistency amongst the front men at Chelsea, selling him to a near title rival might not be the best idea longterm for the club.
-Akarshak Roy
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.