I have to agree with that previous poster. For me Pulisic is the best attacker in our squad at the moment. Obviously his main issues is injuries, but I'm also not entirely sure Tuchel really rates him either. I think he just needs a few starts to really showcase his talents, because at the moment our attack looks toothless. We are relying on werners short bursts of pace to draw a foul in the box, inspiration from mount, and then there isnt much else. Giroud always seem to score but isnt getting game time, so the quicker we have a dynamic pulisic the better. 

At least he got a chance to get on the pitch today, not much can be done with such limited minutes.

I think it's pretty fair to say at this moment he's behind Werner and Mount in the positions he preferred. Just need to be a patient and good team player, and wait for his chances.

 

When he's fit ( could be a while), he should take one of the front 3 spot. The 2 strikers system is not working well, better off having an attacker who could actually run past people and put the final ball in. Unfortunately he has gone backwards this season, last season he had longer injuries, but he's the main man everytime he did play, this season Mount or even Werner all done more than him.

How do we know he's not fit?

Does he look injured today? Is he still carrying an injury?

I think TT just prefer other options at this time, and that's fair game.

You can tell Pulisic is hungry, I can only imagine how hard it is for anyone else to break into that starting 11 when you consider only 2 goals conceeded in 8 games. Tommy came in to make us win again and he's been doing that. 

The only way to get back into this team regularly besides rotation is to outperform others. Christian's time is coming, he knows he has to prove himself all over again and I back him to do. Hopefully he explodes in this upcoming prem fixture list. He's my pick for the ucl game to replace Mount

Edited February 24, 20215 yr by LongtimerLurker

I worry for him now, he just cant get a run of games going to get back to his match sharpness due to injuries. He needs 8-10 games to have a chance of getting back to form, if he doesnt get that then I just cant see him being at Chelsea for very long unfortuantely.

4 hours ago, dkw said:

I worry for him now, he just cant get a run of games going to get back to his match sharpness due to injuries. He needs 8-10 games to have a chance of getting back to form, if he doesnt get that then I just cant see him being at Chelsea for very long unfortuantely.

I agree with this…

Undoubtedly, Pulisic has not been in Project Restart form. And, it's hard to trust him with his injuries. But, I think he's mostly fit?

He is just the odd-man-out because of tactics, as I am skeptical it's all to do with form.

From November at Tottenham to January at Luton Town, Puli was arguably the best-attacking player when given the role he's best in (inverted left winger).  He seemed to be the only one to show moments of some magic -- I mean, the team was playing terrible, so that's not saying much.

Now, he hasn't had any time to get into any rhythm under Tuchel. And, rightly so, Tuchel came in and made positive tactical changes – Chelsea is clearly better in terms of defensive structure with wing-backs (Puli would be terrible there) and a back-3.

So, Puli is competing against Werner and Tuchel has to decide who to invest more time in– Werner or Puli.  Werner is not injury prone. 

At Dortmund, Tuchel also really didn't view Puli as a regular starter at the end of TT's last season there – more of an occasional sub. I think he views Puli as fairly one-dimensional (which, I think he may be correct -- great agility, direct in dribbling, but needs to room to be able to cut and go on to his right-foot). If Puli can develop more to be able to play centrally as well (like a False 9), he'll get more playing time -- but, its tough sledding to learn a new role quickly at Chelsea.

Puli will probably be a sub for most of the remainder of the season, and then we'll see -- I don't think he will want to be in that role beyond this summer.

1 hour ago, PetrCechYourself said:

I agree with this…

 

Undoubtedly, Pulisic has not been in Project Restart form. And, it's hard to trust him with his injuries. But, I think he's mostly fit?

 

He is just the odd-man-out because of tactics, as I am skeptical it's all to do with form.

 

From November at Tottenham to January at Luton Town, Puli was arguably the best-attacking player when given the role he's best in (inverted left winger).  He seemed to be the only one to show moments of some magic -- I mean, the team was playing terrible, so that's not saying much.

 

Now, he hasn't had any time to get into any rhythm under Tuchel. And, rightly so, Tuchel came in and made positive tactical changes – Chelsea is clearly better in terms of defensive structure with wing-backs (Puli would be terrible there) and a back-3.

 

So, Puli is competing against Werner and Tuchel has to decide who to invest more time in– Werner or Puli.  Werner is not injury prone. 

 

At Dortmund, Tuchel also really didn't view Puli as a regular starter at the end of TT's last season there – more of an occasional sub. I think he views Puli as fairly one-dimensional (which, I think he may be correct -- great agility, direct in dribbling, but needs to room to be able to cut and go on to his right-foot). If Puli can develop more to be able to play centrally as well (like a False 9), he'll get more playing time -- but, its tough sledding to learn a new role quickly at Chelsea.

 

Puli will probably be a sub for most of the remainder of the season, and then we'll see -- I don't think he will want to be in that role beyond this summer.

 

I think that's a lot of assumptions tbh...

Tuchel has been here for less than a month, immediately challenged to catch up in the league and compete in 2 cup competitions. He managed straight away to find a system that brought solidity and results, now from there it's hard to quickly break into the team. Particularly if - like Pulisic - you're out injured for some of these games.

That still doesn't mean we should start to prepare for his summer transfer. We have the squad depth to manage his injury vulnerability. He is indeed not a LWB but I consider him our best left winger (which we don't have many of anyway) so as soon as we play a formation that contains that position (so a 3-4-2-1 or pretty much anything with a back 4) I expect him to play. For example, while I fancy Werner and Havertz to play ahead of Mount against Utd, I wouldn't mind seeing this line-up against Liverpool:

-------------Giroud-------------

-------Pulisic-------Ziyech------

Alonso-Kovacic-Jorginho-James

----Rüdiger---Silva-----Azpi----

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.

In the short term I expect Pulisic will be patient and fight for a starting spot in the team. However if he finds himself becoming more a squad player in Tuchel's set up I suspect he will push for a move. His Chelsea career to date has been good in fits and starts but injuries have really hampered his progress. I suspect the key to him making the first team now will be demonstrating that he is able to work as a wing back, or shine in a new role under Tuchel. Unless of course Tuchel changes course and adopts 4 at the back regularly.

We paid £57m if i remember correctly, so I foresee a problem.

Another club won't pay near that with his injury record, unless he goes to the USA (left field).

Suspect he will be with us next season I think. 

Long term not sure he will get back that exciting form we saw late last season, I hope so yet.........

30 minutes ago, Strider6003 said:

We paid £57m if i remember correctly, so I foresee a problem.

Another club won't pay near that with his injury record, unless he goes to the USA (left field).

Suspect he will be with us next season I think. 

Long term not sure he will get back that exciting form we saw late last season, I hope so yet.........

Yes I doubt we would get close to that on current form. He has age on his side but as you say the injury record would put many potential buyers off. Then again if you look at a lot of the players we have spent big money it is questionable as to whether we could recoup that fee currently. For example if we decided to sell Havertz we would probably take a big loss there too.

Patience is key. At 22 years of age not that many players are expected to be the star man of both their country and club let alone a club of Chelsea's stature.

He is a long term project, it is his dream to play in the prem. The guy has been working his whole life for this and last season we saw a glimpse of his resolve.

We are stacked in the attacking department but for good reason, look how many injuries we have had this season. When not if Pulisic breaks into this team it will be on his own merit,  which will make it even more rewarding.

Final point is Lamps didn't really seem to rate Christian as highly as he came to by the end of his tenure. Christian went from a player Frank didn't want to put too much pressure on and ease into the team. Into a nailed on starter when fit.

1 hour ago, Danp2311 said:

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.

I hope Tuchel and the club keep him where he is would hate if he turned into another Salah gets sold and comes back to bit us.

He's clearly a very talented footballer and preformed well last season.This season has been a bit more tricky for him with injuries,but give him time I think he'll come good even with Tuchel's system.

I doubt Pulisic will leave after 2 seasons, he's said this is his dream to play in the prem with Chelsea he's a tough lad he knows he can stick out the tough times and he will get game time at least I hope so.

From a tactics point of view he just doesn't have a role in the current 3421/3412. Currently everyone has a position you could name after them and usually when they don't play, there is a glaring absence.

I'll start with the middle cb the only position so far in def to have 3 different players play there. Originally the Silva role, Andreas has deputised well and Kurt not so much.

Rwb what looks tailor made for Reece so far has been given to CHO more often than not, he looks better atm than Reece who still has time to show why we rate him so highly.

Lwb defense vs attack. Alonso is the better attacker, Ben the better defender. Based on the teams we play this role varies. I prefer Alonso there for the most part, he is the better lwb but Ben is the better lb. Still rate Ben though he has a bright future here.

Kante is a phenomenal player but in this system Jorgehh and Kova rule the roost. Its a different team when one is missing. 

Werner has his role in Lf the team really missed his runs vs united he is clearly integral to the system. Mount again has his own specific role for the team works hard on and off the ball and creates chances. 

The only position up for grabs really is st/cf Giroud and Abraham have their pros and cons but neither looks truly comfortable or gives the team enough to nail the spot down in this specific system. They'll get goals but the role each play isn't tailored for either really in this formation.

This leaves Pulisic in the cold, with his muscles problems Thomas will not ask him to play lwb or rwb from the start most likely due to the fact his body is too fragile (this is just a hunch). With the two inside roles already taken up by Werner and Mount who have been winning us games it leaves Christian out in the cold. 

We have seen him come on and play false 9 for Thomas and once or twice for Frank but I doubt that will be a regular thing as he often shifts back to one of the inside roles following another change from the bench. As long as we play this system he may find chances hard to come by, but that's not to say things won't change.

A formation change or system tweak is all it may take for him to get prolonged game time. Furthermore, if Thomas deems it we could see Pulisic start as wing back if they think he can handle it.

 

Pulisic went through 4 managers in under 2 seasons in his early years at Dortmund, so he's not a quitter.

He will fight for his place and get minutes on the team, unless the manager/board decides he's surplus.

 

Just read this,Dont know how true it is 'Chelsea winger and United States international Christian Pulisic has reportedly 'liked' an Instagram post which alludes to the 'shooting of Antifa members'.

 

14 hours ago, LongtimerLurker said:

I

Rwb what looks tailor made for Reece 

 

??? 

How can people think that reece is a wb after watching him play for 1 1/2 season

I agree with the lurker, he’s a long term project and he’s shown us what he can be last season. Only 22 isn’t he, nowhere near prime years yet.

If he can stay fit, he’s definitely worth sticking with.

7 hours ago, Bluesince66 said:

Just read this,Dont know how true it is 'Chelsea winger and United States international Christian Pulisic has reportedly 'liked' an Instagram post which alludes to the 'shooting of Antifa members'.

 

 

This is why I stay mostly off of social media.

Like a photo/post of a beautiful young woman and they'll go after you as a sexist, rapist, predator, etc.

Stay off social media, and you'll probably enjoy life much more.

 

 

9 hours ago, Bluesince66 said:

Just read this,Dont know how true it is 'Chelsea winger and United States international Christian Pulisic has reportedly 'liked' an Instagram post which alludes to the 'shooting of Antifa members'.

That could be awkward, is it his  official account ?

Brutos will go spare!

12 hours ago, coco said:

That could be awkward, is it his  official account ?

Not 100% sure coco.

On 03/03/2021 at 09:49, Bluesince66 said:

Just read this,Dont know how true it is 'Chelsea winger and United States international Christian Pulisic has reportedly 'liked' an Instagram post which alludes to the 'shooting of Antifa members'.

 

Yeah from what i've read it's fairly well-known in the States that he is a MAGA guy. Came from a rich, Conservative family in a well off area. But I've seen the Insta post and it is definitely a like from his account which would seem to endorse that message, so it's stupid at best and an indication of very poor character at worst.

1 hour ago, Coxy15 said:

Yeah from what i've read it's fairly well-known in the States that he is a MAGA guy. Came from a rich, Conservative family in a well off area. But I've seen the Insta post and it is definitely a like from his account which would seem to endorse that message, so it's stupid at best and an indication of very poor character at worst.

Good God.  That cancel culture sh*t goes on in England too?

You have no idea why he friggin' "liked" a post.  Pulisic to my knowledge hasn't been politically vocal to this point in public.  He says he just liked the post of an aquaintance absentmindedly.  I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt that he is not pro going out and shotting Antifa members unprovoked.  If I see evidence of the contrary, I'll re-evaluate my decision.  Jeebus.  

I can tell you one thing. If the Jahn dude's post is about killing Antifa members, I am unaware of it.  I am unable to translate that gibberish anyway.

 

 

Edited March 4, 20215 yr by DumbYank