Christian Pulisic: Real Madrid interest provides perfect way out for Chelsea

Cameron Smith

• 25 Feb 2023 19:20 GMT
• 4 min read

Christian Pulisic's time at Chelsea promised so much, but has ultimately failed to deliver.

Chelsea put a lot of faith in the USMNT star when they splashed €64 million to sign him from Borussia Dortmund back in 2019, and for a while it looked like money well spent.

Pulisic took a few weeks to get going, but a perfect hat-trick away at Burnley in October 2019 was subsequently followed by back-to-back goals against Watford and Crystal Palace.

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An abductor injury slowed his progress, but once lockdown was lifted and the Premier League returned, Pulisic was arguably the best player in England. Alongside Olivier Giroud, the American fired Chelsea into the top four with electric form that saw him notch four goals and provide four assists in the final nine games of the league campaign.

His assist for Tammy Abraham away at Anfield was particularly memorable, with Pulisic jinking past Fabinho, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez before crossing for Abraham to tap home.

It was an assist reminiscent of club legend Eden Hazard, and Pulisic's form at the back-end of his first season drew many comparisons to the Belgian.

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Furthermore, Pulisic also scored the opener in the FA Cup final against Arsenal and was Chelsea's most dangerous player on the day, but he was forced off through injury after just 49 minutes. The Blues went on to lose 2-1.

In fact, that game almost perfectly sums up Pulisic's Chelsea career. Signs of real promise interrupted by injury.

To put into perspective how injury-prone the former Dortmund winger has been at Stamford Bridge, Pulisic has missed 53 games through injury since joining the club in 2019. He's simply not been able to string together a run of games before being sidelined again.

As a result, interest from Real Madrid provides Chelsea with the perfect opportunity to cut their losses and sell the American.

Pulisic to Real Madrid?

According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid are considering a move for Pulisic this summer as they look to strengthen their forward line.

Marco Asensio has been linked with a departure, while it remains unlikely that Kylian Mbappe leaves Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Therefore, Los Blancos have reportedly identified Pulisic as a potential summer transfer target. Chelsea will no doubt welcome a sale given the January arrivals of Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, combined with the imminent summer addition of Christopher Nkunku and possibly Joao Felix, if a permanent deal is agreed with Atletico Madrid.

The Blues are in need of a summer clear-out, and Real Madrid's reported interest in Pulisic provides the West London club with a way out.

The American's deal at Stamford Bridge is set to expire in 2024, meaning Graham Potter's side must sell him this summer or risk losing him on a free transfer next year.

As a result, Real Madrid's slightly surprising interest must be taken seriously in order for Chelsea to recoup some valuable money after their lucrative January spending under Todd Boehly.

Pulisic has shown how talented he is on numerous occasions at Chelsea, but he's also shown that he needs time upon returning from injury to rediscover his form. Given how often he's injured, Chelsea simply can't afford to give him that luxury anymore.

In addition, the huge sum of money spent on Mudryk means the Ukraine international must be prioritised, and considering Pulisic's best displays have solely come on the left flank, Chelsea can't guarantee him regular minutes even when he is fully fit.

Real Madrid might be a step that Pulisic's recent form doesn't deserve - he's netted 15 goals in his past 100 games - but a fresh start could be what is best for both the player and for Chelsea.