If things are going to turn around for Christian Pulisic at Chelsea, it might get even worse before it gets better. After a handful of starts early on this season Pulisic went an unused substitute three straight times. While he did say action in the EFL Cup, today saw the American dropped entirely from the UEFA Champions League match day squad at Lille.
The Blues, who won 2-1 over the Ligue 1 side to grab their first points of UCL group stage action, got goals from Willian and Tammy Abraham.
The Brazilian and Mason Mount started on the wings ahead of Pulisic, with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Pedro being named to the bench over the 21-year-old. Pulisic moved over from Borussia Dortmund for £54 million ($72 million) in January when Maurizio Sarri was still manager.
It’s clear right now that the American is simply not anywhere near a part of Lampard’s plans right now, and Pulisic has said that it frustrates him. Pulisic, who has yet to score in a Blues shirt, also said that he hasn’t received any specific feedback from his manager on what he needs to do to get back into the squad.
Eventually, Chelsea are going to need some return on their large investment; while the Pennsylvanian needs to have regular football, otherwise his international game will drop off.
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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