Fresh off a very solid showing at the World Cup in Qatar, things had been looking up for United States Men’s National Team franchise player Christian Pulisic. The good vibes didn’t last, as Captain America suffered a significant knee injury on Thursday, in a 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the league.
“Christian opened up his knee in the game the other day, so we’re still analyzing it, but it is going to be weeks,” Blues boss Graham Potter responded to a reporter query about the extent of Pulisic’s injury.
Chelsea at Fulham FC FYIs
Kick-off: 8pm GMT, Thur Jan 12, 8pm Craven Cottage
Result Probability: Fulham FC win 29% Draw 27% Chelsea win 44%
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Chelsea Team News: go here
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As you might have heard, the southwest London club are in the middle of a severe injury crisis, with 10+ first team players on the injured list. They really can’t afford any more injuries, but well, such is football at the highest level.
At least Pulisic has a really cute dog to cuddle with and keep him company as he recovers. You can see that here:
Christian Pulisic cuddling his dog pic.twitter.com/AnDpubDPVd
— Footballers with animals (@ftbllrswanimals) November 11, 2019
And you can see that again here:
It’s International Dog Day so this is the story of the time Christian Pulisic just wanted to be with his dog for the holidays ?? pic.twitter.com/ahQqleQnBY
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) August 26, 2021
So how many games will the Hershey, Pennsylvania native miss and what are the those key clashes? Just how much of adverse impact did that aggressive challenge from City defender John Stones have on Chelsea’s season?
Let’s take a look, shall we? Obviously, Pulisic missed out this weekend, and he’ll be absent on Thursday again.
But looking at the timeline of “weeks,” it means three, at the very minimum.
With this mind, it means no Pulisic for the London derby against Crystal Palace on Jan 15 and the big clash against fellow disappointment Liverpool on Jan 21.
If we’re talking about four weeks, then the reverse fixture with Fulham on Feb 3rd is a no go as well. So then when does he return? Maybe for the London derby against fellow big money strugglers West Ham United Feb 11?
If that is his return date, it would have meant that he had spent well over a month on the sidelines.
Certainly, he’ll want to be back to face his former club Borussia Dortmund on Feb 15. Pulisic won’t want to miss out on featuring at Signal Iduna Park, in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16- that’s for sure.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.