Top Stories

Thomas Tuchel on Christian Pulisic: “He’s in a good moment”

37 Shares

Thomas Tuchel has several offensive players fighting for spots in his starting lineup each week at Chelsea and Christian Pulisic is one who has been impressing the German as the competitive schedule for the Blues rolls on.

Pulisic remains in good form for Chelsea as the defending UEFA Champions League winners continue their busy schedule in several competitions. The Blues come into Thursday’s Premier League trip to Norwich City off of the back of a 4-0 road win over Burnley last Saturday, one that featured Pulisic scoring once and assisting once at Turf Moor.

The 23-year-old Pulisic has scored two goals in his last four appearances for Chelsea and overall has three goals in 2022, stepping up in the second half of the season. His connection with other attacking players like Kai Havertz and Mason Mount has helped Pulisic over recent weeks and Tuchel has credited his hard work in all aspects of his overall game.

“He’s in a good moment, in good form,” Tuchel said Wednesday in his pre-match press conference. “There is a good link-up between him, Mason [Mount] and Kai [Havertz]. They have assists together, are decisive, have goals.”

Pulisic has continued to fight for opportunities under Tuchel this season, despite the growing number of attacking options that the German has in his arsenal. Whether its playing as a winger, attacking midfielder, or even a wing back, Pulisic has risen to the occasion for Chelsea as the club aims to not only repeat in the Champions League, but also bring home the F.A. Cup and finish in the top-four of the Premier League.

Pulisic’s gritty performance against Burnley was just another example of his willingness to work hard for the club, and the U.S. men’s national team star was rewarded with one goal and one assist. Now with four matches coming up over a 10-day period before World Cup Qualifying involvement with the USMNT, Pulisic will need to continue bringing the same intensity to help Chelsea achieve its overall goals this season.

“For me, what Christian needs and what he can bring to the team is his physicality and ability to hit high intensity repetitively, on a high frequency,” Tuchel said. “This is the focus and from there the other thing is that he has the ambition and natural hunger, ambition to arrive in the six-yard box.

“This is good, this is what we need,” Tuchel added. “He needs to focus on these things and start from there. If he does and feels the physical fitness, the physical ability to do so, he can have a huge influence in our game.”

Chelsea faces Norwich City on Thursday before hosting Newcastle United on Sunday. The Blues will then travel to French club Lille next week for the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie.

Leave a Comment