Can Christian Pulisic develop into the kind of player that could replace Eden Hazard at Chelsea? Well, one Borussia Dortmund club legend who we had an exclusive conversation with earlier this summer believes it’s possible, and the beginning of the journey to the answer of this question begins this week.
As we reported last week, Pulisic will take a very very short break after the conclusion of his international duty with the United States, and join up with the rest of the Chelsea side in Japan on their preseason exhibition tour. The 20-year-old American winger will fly out tomorrow and join up with the rest of his new mates on Tuesday, recently minted manager Frank Lampard confirmed.
“Christian joins us on Tuesday when we get there,” Lampard said after his side beat St. Patrick’s in Dublin yesterday, getting the new boss his first ever win at the helm of the club.
“He is flying in separately as he has had short break but fair play, he wanted to get there quickly which I appreciate.”
Lampard joins United States Head Coach Gregg Berhalter and USMNT legend Brian McBride in extolling the virtues of Pulisic and expressing excitement over what levels of opportunity could await the Hershey, Pennsylvania native with the west London side this upcoming season.
“It is a huge move for him to a big club and he is a top young player who will only go one way,” the 41-year-old continued.
“It was important we start the season as well as we can. I know we have injuries but we will need him. I have not met him, I have spoken to him, but it is a good impression.”
Chelsea take on Kawasaki Frontale on Friday July 19, but Lampard could decide to hold off on featuring Pulisic until July 23 vs FC Barcelona. Also, a squad number for Pulisic is yet to be made public. Why it’s taking so long- who really knows? Perhaps it hasn’t even been decided yet?
What number do you want him to wear? Comment below.
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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