Christian Pulisic has enjoyed a positive return to Graham Potter’s starting lineup at Chelsea since the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup, but the American attacker might now face a spell on the sidelines after a first half injury on Thursday.
Pulisic was substituted off in the 22nd minute of Chelsea’s 1-0 English Premier League loss with Manchester City due to an apparent leg injury. The U.S. men’s national team star collided with Man City defender John Stones during a 50-50 ball and came off the worst from it.
Pulisic hobbled to the sidelines and tried his best to get himself back into the match, but eventually was replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka. He was the second Chelsea attacker injured in the match after Raheem Sterling’s substitution in the fifth minute.
“It’s too soon for an update,” Chelsea boss Potter said. “Raheem was with his first action of the game with a back-heel and Christian had some contact on his knee so fingers crossed it’s not too bad.”
The 24-year-old had started both of Chelsea’s league matches following the World Cup, totaling 169 minutes in results against AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest. Pulisic’s third-straight start for the Blues was cut short though, creating another issue for Potter’s already depleted squad.
Pulisic was impactful for the USMNT during the World Cup, assisting once in matches against Wales and the Netherlands while also scoring the winner in a 1-0 group stage victory over Iran. He logged 90 minutes in three of his four appearances in Qatar, finishing as one of the top performers for the Americans.
Chelsea’s busy 2023 schedule continues on Sunday with a trip to Man City in FA Cup action before a road league match against London rivals Fulham on Jan. 12. Pulisic will hope to be back for the Blues when the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 begins in February, as Chelsea visits Pulisic’s former club, Borussia Dortmund.
Unfortunately this has been his club career. Can never stay healthy and get a sustained run of games to improve form. One can only hope the US produces a few more attackers in the next couple of years who aren’t as injury prone as Pulisic, Reyna, and Weah have been.
Exactly. Our young “starlets” have proven to be fragile. It’s frustrating.
This actually goes way back. I remember many times when young players showed some promise but they’d fall off due to frequent injuries: Holden, Davies (granted a car accident but still), Gatt, Gyau, Zelalem, Boyd, etc. That’s just off the top of my head, I’m sure there are plenty more that I’m forgetting.
True. Both Gyau and Gatt were supposed to big contributors during the 2018 WC cycle.
Pelosi
You should include Tyler Adams and Weston in there
Weston hasn’t really been injury prone. He has had a few in the past 4 years. Not sidelined as long as others have been.
“Weston hasn’t really been injury prone. ”
He’s had them at bad times often enough to not really be relied on. . And there is ongoing concern about his fitness.
In English he needs to watch his weight.
Hmmm.,…. Don’t think I agree with that. He had a foot injury last year and a thigh problem this year. Other than that not much. Watch his weight? When has a coach ever said he has needed to watch his weight?
Come on Puli…Shake it off.
Wow what a week for US Soccer. I’ll check back in in a month.
I don’t blame you.