Christian Pulisic is a player that Chelsea FC is counting on once football action resumes. The actual date remains a mystery but the lull benefits both the Blues and the USMNT star. Pulisic is trying to recover from an adductor strain and is on course to a full recovery. The longer the break, the better chances the 21-year-old has of coming back stronger for his team.
Pulisic suffered the injury back in January but showed on social media that he is ready to go. Unfortunately, Chelsea coach Frank Lampard is not willing to take the risk and prefers to see the American winger return with a lower risk of re-injuring himself. Given that the more than a month break has given him more time to recuperate, hopes are high that Pulisic will return and provide the Blues a big boost this season.
Based on where the Blues are right now, a Pulisic return could help them in their campaign. Before the COVID-19 pandemic grounded football action, Chelsea was only three points ahead of Manchester United with only nine games to go. A worst-case scenario would see the Red Devils catching up or even overtaking them. If that happens, Chelsea will be denied a top-four finish.
One person who believes Pulisic will be a big boost to Chelsea is Blues teammate Marcos Alonso. Speaking to Stu Holden of Fox Soccer recently, he believes that the 21-year-old winger can help their cause. Alonso was among the initial personalities who felt Pulisic would struggle, especially with the physicality of Premier League games. But after seeing the American in action, he believes Pulisic can make a big difference for the Blues.
"He has quality, speed, I thought he was going to struggle a bit with the physicality of the Premier League but he has done great. He missed a little bit of the continuity to show even more and keep improving but I think he’s going to be a great player for Chelsea. Hopefully, with his time off, he’s going to come back stronger from this small injury he had,” Alonso said.
There is no question that Pulisic is a talent that can help any team. His ability to dribble the ball has been lauded, not to mention his speed. He was even compared to Lando Donovan,
a retired soccer player who is now manager San Diego Loyal SC.
Pulisic should be ready once the league resumes. The actual date has yet to be decided although some teams are already incrementally going back to training with CDC guidelines in place.
