Christian Pulisic is a 'poor fit' for Chelsea, and should consider leaving the club at the end of the season, ESPN pundits say
- Christian Pulisic is a "poor fit" for Chelsea, and should consider leaving the club at the end of the season, according to ESPN pundits Shaka Hislop and Craig Burley.
- Pulisic has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since his $73 million move from Borussia Dortmund, spending four of the club's last five games on the bench.
- "This whole transfer, from the time it was announced, just seemed like a poor fit," said Hislop.
- Burley added: "If you're not playing regular, you've got to assess how your next year is going to pan out."
- Pulisic has admitted his own frustration at the lack of game time. "I just have to continue to learn," he told NBC Sports.
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Christian Pulisic is a "poor fit" for Chelsea FC and should consider leaving the club at the end of the season, according to ESPN pundits Shaka Hislop and Craig Burley.
Pulisic signed for Chelsea in a $73 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund in January, but didn't join up with his new teammates until the summer.
But since doing so the USA starlet has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge and, in recent weeks, has found himself consigned to the substitutes' bench. Club manager Frank Lampard has not selected him in four of the last five games.
Pulisic's only start in September came against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup last week, however he again failed to impress, or find the score sheet, in a 7-1 win.
"This whole transfer, from the time it was announced, just seemed like a poor fit," Hislop, who made over 200 Premier League appearances during his career, said on ESPN.
"[Maurizio] Sarri didn't know he was coming in, and now, you know, there's a new manager coming in six months after that, and [Pulisic] doesn't fit into his plans.
"Now if Pulisic had sat tight at Dortmund for another six months, who knows where he would be? Perhaps playing right now. So there are other questions to ask, but as for now, it's about what he can do on the training ground to get himself back in."
Burley seconded Hislop's statement, going on to say the 21-year-old must already be looking ahead to next season, even if it means moving away from Chelsea after just one year.
"Ultimately, we at the moment, have America's great young hope, not getting any game time for a guy that was playing on-loan in the Championship last season," said Burley, referring to Frank Lampard's decision to play Mason Mount ahead of Pulisic. "That's the crux of this."
He added: "Every player at the end of the season has to assess where they are. If they're playing regular, it's not a problem. But if you're not playing regular, you've got to assess how your next year is going to pan out."
Pulisic himself is frustrated
Pulisic himself recently admitted he has been frustrated by the difficult start to his Chelsea career, however also said he remains optimistic that things will change in the future if he puts in the work.
"It is very frustrating," the American told NBC Sports when asked about his lack of playing time. "But I will continue to work my hardest because I want to play.
"I knew it was going to be tough coming here. It is never going to be easy. I've got to grind it out. I want to be back and be a part of the team and help the team win games.
"I want to play as many minutes as I can, that is really my goal, I want to be on the field. It is tough for me right now. I just have to continue to learn. Like I said, I want to be on the field really bad, I have to continue to work and prove myself to be there."
Chelsea next take on LOSC Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday, October 2.
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