Now, granted, a move for him does have some merits. He’s clearly a talented player, and at 20-years-old, he’s only getting better. Not to mention, as perhaps the most recognisable American footballer, the marketing potential that he would bring would be huge.
However, what happens on the field must take precedence, and that’s where any argument for a move for Pulisic falls down.
After all, whilst Pulisic has a lot of talent, he’s not yet been able to harness it and emerge as one of Europe’s best. Last season he picked up 4 goals and 5 assists, and that’s hardly the record of an unstoppable star. Furthermore, inconsistency has been a problem for him, and whilst players like Pedro or Eden Hazard are able to dominate regularly, the same cannot be said of Pulsiic.
Make no mistake, Chelsea need more offensive quality, but what they need is someone that can force their way ahead of Pedro and Willian. They need someone on a par with Eden Hazard, and Pulisic isn’t that. Could he be in 5 years? Certainly, but he’s not even close to Chelsea’s main man. Given that the Blues would have to spend big on him, he’s rated at £40.5m by Transfer Markt, he wouldn’t represent good value.
Furthermore, just where would this leave Callum Hudson-Odoi. He’s one of Europe’s brightest young talents, and it’s interesting to note that Pulisic has been fighting with Jaden Sancho – a player of a similar age and talent level to Hudson-Odoi – for a first-team berth this season, and he’s often lost.
Who is to say, then, that with a bit of game time, Hudson-Odoi wouldn’t be able to move past Pulisic too?
It’s a deal that just doesn’t make sense.
Thoughts?
