Danp2311

Both sides of this move are handling it with their characteristic amounts of grace.

Time and belief make for a great team. Tough to build belief in the manager's vision when there are 30 players who believe they should play. Tough to get time at a place like Chelsea.

That Reid can really serve the ball

As an American my sense of the American fan base is that if Boehly thinks he is building Chelsea fans by holding on to Pulisic, he is mistaken. The Athletic reports (contrary to posts on this thread) that Boehly blocked loan deals with more than one other club, which may be part of why CP is pouting. Regardless of why, clearly CP is floundering at Chelsea and was abysmal today. So hanging on to him isn’t really going to sell jerseys. OTOH I can see the economic logic of waiting until after the WC to loan or unload him, because he seems to always play well with the national team. Did you see Werner had a hat trick today? Maybe there is something to the notion that TT doesn’t know how to use attackers?

Love the thread title

That’s it right there (except I still trust Mendy). But after last weekend’s display of tactical ineptitude and “no I didn’t learn anything from that spanking” press conference from TT, I don’t see it happening.

When players don’t have a clear sense of their roles, or how to complement their teammates, it often looks like an effort problem. How many attacking players have to look consistently worse under Tuchel before anyone stops blaming players?

How many hot, world class forwards come here and turn into minnows? At some point it is not about the attacking players.

The manager is smart, creative and passionate about one side of the ball, and arrogant, incompetent and clueless about the other side of the ball. The new ownership will stick with him for too long, delaying a turnaround. Mark it.

and therein lies the problem

This is not a talent problem

Even a youth coach could have predicted that this would be a match for which the ability to move in tight spaces would be valuable.

Another Tuchel impotent offensive performance

We need more Americans

My 2 cents. Werner looks better lately than ever before at Chelsea. He seems to be moving with more purpose, and his touch even seems better (which has been a problem IMO). Yes, he misses sitters now and again, but he doesn’t seem to be struggling in that department the way he has in the past. Jorginho has always been a pass back first guy, and defense/possession first coaches (like TT) are cool with that. I agree that he kills attacks at time. As for the penalty, he looked either nervous or rusty. The entire hop motion of his was very rushed. When was the last time he took a consequential penalty? I am probably in the minority here, but if a manager can’t find a way to use Lukaku productively, that’s on him IMO. Pulisic kept his cool on that weak foot finish. Chelsea are fortunate to have a sub who is quick and predatory (usually) around the six yard box. It will be interesting in the off season to see how Pulisic reacts to (what appears to be) a bench role. On the one hand, he seems ambitious to play more; on the other, he loves Chelsea and winning trophies. Good to see a Rudiger-less back line play so well. TT knows defense, and they say that defense wins championships. Maybe he needs to hire an offensive big brain as an assistant.

Time to let Pulisic go, either on loan or a deal. Neither TT nor the fans rate him as a first XI guy, and all the other wingers are producing: CHO, Mount, Ziyech, with both Havertz and Werner able to play that position as well. Dealing or loaning Pulisic is a win-win. Apparently Barca is interested in a loan, and other clubs are sniffing around as well. He’s made a glass, right? He can’t stay healthy, right? This seems like a no brainer.

It may never be the top sport, but don't underestimate what is percolating below the surface. The newest MLS club (Austin) thought that a new 20,000 seat stadium would be right-sized for that city. They sold out season tickets for 3/4 of the stadium in no time; now they have a 21,000 person waiting list for season tickets, and most of those people want > 1 ticket. The sport doesn't get proper coverage in US mainstream sports outlets, but it enjoys more support than people realize. All that is going to pay off on the pitch eventually, IMO. Indeed, the core of the current team is pretty good, much better than their manager.

Nonsensically

Because bias

I sort of infer the latter

I suspect that Pulisic will be gone in the summer. Sometimes an elite young player just doesn't fit the coach's system, and that's ok. I don't see him wanting to be a super-sub, and he isn't even in that position now. It would be no one's fault if TT doesn't rely on him and he moved on to another club. I doubt he is injured, or diminished by previous injuries. He just isn't a wingback or a striker. Given what he showed in Project Restart, I suspect there will be summer suitors willing to pay the club's price.