Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this upcoming season at Stamford Bridge will be the growth and development of Christian Pulisic. The 20-year-old American winger, tasked with replacing Eden Hazard (whether he wants to admit that or not), has had a phenomenal preseason with his new team.
In these early season friendlies, we’ve seen what the skill set and potential present within the Hershey, Pennsylvania native, culminating in the brace he bagged in the 5-3 win over RB Salzburg. The young American (props to David Bowie) spoke his first goal(s) in a blue shirt with Chelsea TV.
“I’m really happy to get the win, and to score my first goals for Chelsea was really great,” Pulisic said to the club’s video platform on the world wide web.
“We were clinical and got the lead early so that helped. All these matches are helping us prepare for the season that is coming up, we’re gaining our fitness back, we’re feeling really good and we’re excited for the start.”
Chelsea has one more preseason friendly left, tomorrow against Borussia Mönchengladbach (which is probably the most fun name to say in all of sports). Then, a week from Sunday, they’ll kick off the new Premier League season, and the start of the Frank Lampard era at Old Trafford versus Manchester United.
Pulisic gave credit to the Chelsea playmakers behind him, for providing the service he needed to provide the finish in the final third.
“I wasn’t even sure he was going to see me! That was the one I kind of received with my face, it was funny, but what an amazing pass and obviously I did the rest,” Pulisic said in reference to a sublime pass he received from Ross Barkley.
“Our midfield has amazing quality, and the passes they can make and the movement in there is really good. It helps me so much with my game. I’m really enjoying my football at the moment.”
“Being at a new club is amazing, I’m really happy to be here, and the guys have been really welcoming. I have enjoyed every moment of it so far.”
Exciting times ahead for Pulisic, Lampard and Chelsea.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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