Personally, I don’t like comparing footballers but Chelsea new boy Christian Pulisic will need to get used to it.

With former Blues maestro Eden Hazard now plying his trade Real Madrid, Chelsea supporters are on the lookout for a new creative hero. In that regard a lot is expected of American star Pulisic.

The Premier League giants bought Christian from Borussia Dortmund in a £58m deal (Source – BBC Sport).

Now one reason I don’t like comparisons is because most of the time you’ll see people compare a young player with one in their prime. So I wouldn’t compare twenty year old Pulisic with the Eden Hazard that’s just left Chelsea after seven years at Stamford Bridge.

They do have a few things in common though.

Both clearly like to be direct and attack opposition defences. They’re very good dribblers of the ball and have a good eye for a through pass.

I also think Pulisic, like Eden, prefers to be given added responsibility. While he was on the pitch in Chelsea’s Super Cup game against Champions League winners Liverpool, the young forward took all of his sides corners.

Christian Pulisic had a very good game before he was brought off in the seventy-third minute. He was the player that was a livewire for the Blues and always looking to make a positive impact. He wasn’t overawed by the occasion and looks to have settled in quickly at Stamford Bridge.

The US international cut in off the lefthand side and found a lovely pass back across to Olivier Giroud who managed to then give Frank Lampard’s team the lead. It was a sublime pass that slipped the forward through on goal.

Christian also drove down towards the touchline beating Joe Gomez and the wide-man then produced a superb ball across goal that was calling out for a teammate to tap it in. It almost looked as though the Chelsea players hadn’t kept up with the youngster on that occasion.

Pulisic then found the net himself, although that would get chopped off by the lineswoman after a VAR check. The attacker did well to escape the Liverpool defence, cut in onto his right before turning his shot beyond Reds keeper Adrian.

It was a very good outing for the creative forward in Turkey.

Many were surprised that Christian didn’t start in his side’s game during the opening weekend loss to Manchester United. In the end he got the last half-hour but again he looked sharp. In total he made twelve passes, one of which was deemed a key pass and recorded a 100% passing success rate (Stats – Whoscored).

I think one of the main reasons Lampard subbed the player last night was because he wants to start the forward in Chelsea’s next outing against Leicester City at The Bridge on Sunday.

While I think Pulisic has made a bright start to life with the London cracks, like this current Chelsea side he’s very much still a work in progress. There’s times when he needs to look up more when he is running at defences. I also think he will need to get used to the more physical side of the English game, at times he’s been easily brushed off the ball.

Interestingly his boss Frank Lampard has already suggested that people need to be patient when it comes to the American:

“Christian Pulisic is 20 years old and he’s come across from Dortmund. He will be a fantastic player for the club. He has got great ability. You saw little moments with his acceleration on the ball,”

“But I have also got other options in midfield and in those areas, and I don’t want to stick Christian straight into the fire without trying to help him along the way”

Goal.com

While I understand Lampard, I do hope he still gives Christian Pulisic plenty of starts this term.

I’m sure he will because the Blues boss will know that in the twenty year old forward he’s got a creative magician and he could be vital for his club this season and for many more to come!

Posted on August 15th, 2019 by scott
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