Christian Pulisic enjoyed a dream start to the new English Premier League season when he scored in Chelsea’s opening win against Crystal Palace, but the American star will have to wait a while before he can build on that successful start.
Pulisic has tested positive for COVID-19, and will now miss Chelsea’s match against Arsenal on Sunday. Thomas Tuchel confirmed the positive test on Friday, while
“Christian is unfortunately pretty easy to explain. He had a positive (Covid-19) test and needs to follow the protocols,” Tuchel said. “He’s not in training and not available for the game (against Arsenal).”
Pulisic tested positive on Wednesday, and must now be isolated for 10 days, meaning he could wind up missing both of Chelsea’s matches before the international break, including a visit to Liverpool.
Pulisic addressed his positive COVID-19 test on social media, clarifying that he had been vaccinated and is experiencing no symptoms.
What this means for Pulisic’s availability for the USMNT’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers remains to be seen. His 10-day isolation would run through August 28, which could still allow him to join the USMNT for its training camp in Nashville ahead of the September 2 Concacaf qualifying opener in El Salvador on September 2. That is Pulisic has no complications or setbacks.
Bummer! The silver lining is Pulisic is fully vaccinated and does not have COVID symptoms. He should be well rested, even more hungrier to play and ready to go for the September World Cup qualifications.
If he has to stay home for 10 days that could have effects on his fitness. London homes not known for their large back yards to run around in.
Pulisic should be able to afford at least a treadmill at home to maintain minimum fitness.
Thats BS. They shouldn’t be testing asymptomatic vaccinated people.
WHAT? An owner has millions, if not billions, in currency based on a public event played by a few exceptionally gifted athletes I testing the crap out of everybody to make sure a terrible surge doesn’t come through and wipe out MY investment.
@ danny K. I suppose. Unless maybe it is you or your grandma sitting next to the asymptomatic contagious person on the airplane? Or he’s on the team bus. Just a thought- I certainly don’t claim to have rock solid answers in these… complex, confusing times..
Drag- CP was off and rolling. Here’s to him having no ill affects and keeping it going.
Actually CDC had guidance at one point saying exactly what I said above. New guidance is to test vaccinated asymptomatics if they are exposed to someone with Covid. Was that the case with Pulisic? Doesn’t say so.
One other thing to remember is the EPL has to follow UK guidelines, which have not been the same as those from the CDC and the various States in the USA.
This COVID thing is crazy because you can be asymptomatic (as others have said), and be contagious to others. I think one of the above points was that asymptomatic or not, if you were a billionaire owner, wouldn’t you have your team tested regularly to try your best to avoid a mass illness.
Loftus-Cheek tested positive earlier in the week not sure if that caused the other Chelsea tests or it was just periodic testing by the league.
I’m just glad to hear he’s vaccinated. Steve Bruce was just talking about how many players in his squad have turned down opportunities to get the jab, which just seems ridiculous to me. Hopefully, he will stay asymptomatic.
An MLS heavy squad (like the Gold Cup Squad) can dispatch El Salvador. Not worried. More worried about his place at Chelsea and him having to fight back into that line up.
Dispatching El Salvador is not the problem. Dispatching the full strength Canadian & Honduran teams is the concern.
Canada is our home game this window…and as documented the path to qualification is to win all home games and steal points on the road. Securing the home win against a rising Canadian team will be the 1st real test of qualifying. If we exit the window with 9 points we’ll be well on our way towards qualifying.
Counting El Salvador as a pushover may be the first mistake in this campaign.
Bummer but lucky it didn’t come closer to the international break. He should be able to make the WCQ.
the question remains is what type of protocol does El Salvador have in their country in terms of players from abroad coming in having tested positive for Covid?! I think the best we can ask for is that CP misses the ES match because of Covid, but will be available for the Canada and Honduras matches!