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Christian Pulisic Maintains Productivity and Efficiency

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Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic came today, shortly after half time and opened the scoring for his side in their come from behind win at Aston Villa. In addtion to the equalizing goal, the Hershey, Pennsylvania native went 3-for-3 on long passes and scored with his only shot on target.

He also registered a clearance and made a tackle en route to a solid 7/10 match rating kind of day. “I’m really glad that I could come in and help the team in any way I could. Luckily today it was with a goal,” Pulisic said after the game.

https://twitter.com/centrechelsea/status/1274750355402874881

“I don’t think I hit it perfect with my left. Luckily I got enough on it just to steer it on target.”

He wasn’t man of the match (that was N’Golo Kante), but it was a great way to show no rust after being out for sixth months.

Manager Frank Lampard called the American an inspiration to his teammates today. Pulisic, in his first action since January 1, due to a nasty adductor strain, kept up his productivity and efficiency. In fact he’s the most scoring productive pure wing player/attacking midfielder Chelsea have had this season.

Take a look at some of these statistics claimed by footy fans on Twitter today:

 

Chelsea are getting more goal scoring return on investment, at least per 90 minutes when he’s healthy, from Christian Pulisic than they’re receiving anywhere else.

That’s especially important to note as the 21-year-old faces more competition next season in the final third. Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner are coming into the forward position group at Stamford Bridge next season.

“We already have a very strong team and very good players,” Pulisic said today regarding the two new additions. “To add guys like that is incredible so we’re focused on this season for now but very excited for what’s to come.”

The southwest London club is also being strongly linked with Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz, so competition for places in the team will be fierce. On the flip side though it appears at least one, if not both Willian and Pedro will be leaving this club this summer.

Pulisic has shown his value and proven his worth this season. Lampard has expressed his faith in him. Even if the final third becomes overcrowded with talent and depth, there should still be a major role for the American.

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 contributes to WGN TV, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Now and SB Nation.

You can follow Banks, a former writer for Chicago Tribune.com, on Twitter and his cat on Instagram.