The American winger stressed that despite having played in various positions so far in 2021/22, he has barely featured in the one that he would rather play.
It’s a tough season for Pulisic
After Romelu Lukaku’s recent remarks about Thomas Tuchel’s tactics, Christian Pulisic also complained publicly about his struggles at Chelsea this season. The American winger stressed that despite having played in various positions so far in 2021/22, he has barely featured in the one that he would rather play. “It’s tough,” said Pulisic. “I haven’t always been playing in the positions I want to play in. But I think it’s a good quality to be versatile and be able to play in all kinds of positions and have different strengths on the pitch. So, yeah, I’ve learned a lot, and I think I’m ready to hopefully be in a spot in the next couple of games that I’m more comfortable in.”
Pulisic started behind Timo Werner in attack in Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace back in August. Still, he didn’t play again until November due to COVID-19 and an ankle injury.
The US player is excited at Chelsea
The USMNT international has scored three goals and registered one assist in 19 games across all competitions so far this season. Under Tuchel, Pulisic has played as a winger, striker and even as a wing-back. “Obviously, it’s been up and down this year, for sure,” Pulisic noted. “Not exactly where I want to be and how I want things to be right now. But, yeah, I’m just going to keep going and, as I said, it doesn’t affect me when I come here, so I’m excited to be here. When I come to the national team, it’s, ‘How are things at Chelsea? What’s this, what’s that?’ And, yeah, things are, it’s tough. It’s tough. It’s definitely played a lot on me, and mentally it’s been difficult at times.”
Following the signing of Lukaku last summer, Tuchel has various quality options up front, with the likes of the Belgium international, Pulisic, Werner, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Hakim Ziyech competing for three spots up front in the coach’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.