The Premier League received the government’s green light earlier this week to resume play after June 1st. And for Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic, he too has been given the all-clear after a long injury layoff.
Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic ‘Ready To Go’ After Injury Recovery
Pulisic Recovered And Ready
Even before the coronavirus pandemic stopped football, Pulisic’s season had come to a grinding halt as well, having played his last match against Brighton and Hove Albion on New Year’s Day. Speaking to Sky Sports News, he explained: “I didn’t take it as seriously as I think I should have.
“It was one of those you felt you could do a lot of things but you try to push it that one extra step and realise it’s not ready yet. It was a frustrating process but I’m feeling good and ready to go again.”
This should be music to the ears of Blues’ fans. And of course, manager Frank Lampard as well. The American has six goals and five assists to his name this season, not including one he set up in the UEFA Super Cup loss to Liverpool. Importantly though, he hit a stretch where he became the driving force of the team in both the Premier League in Champions League.
In a nine-game period in October and November, Pulisic scored or assisted in seven of those matches, including the hockey assist (pass before the assist) for the winner against Newcastle United at home, the winning assist from the bench away to Ajax in Europe, and a perfect hat trick and ten out of ten performance away to Burnley where he became the youngest American to score a hat trick in the Premier League, while also becoming Chelsea’s youngest player ever to notch a hat trick.
But once New Year struck, he suffered yet another injury, similar to his days at Borussia Dortmund, forcing his exclusion for the team up until now.
Room To Improve
The US Captain, or Captain America as many affectionately call him, knows he still has plenty to improve on. “I want to learn to be even more clinical in front of goal continue to boost my numbers, get more goals and assists,” he specified. “I want to be stronger on the ball, being able to hold off players and those are two areas that I’m definitely working on.”
Before joining the Blues, some questioned whether he’d succeed in the Premier League. On the less physical side, could he handle the physicality of the English game? As an American, is he technically and tactically good enough on the ball? Can he finish well enough?
Pulisic knows where he needs to improve. Referring to veterans Willian and Pedro, he added: “I think it’s great to have friendly competition. They’re all great guys and it’s great to be learning from them and also getting to play with Callum [Hudson-Odoi]. It’s a strong area of our team.”
With the Premier League soon set to return, Pulisic’s simultaneous return is a major boost to Chelsea’s chances to qualify for Champions League. The Blues currently sit fourth on 48 points, just three above Manchester United.
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