Chelsea have dropped a major hint that Christian Pulisic will not be part of their touring party for the club's trip to the United States next month for pre-season. The American is one of the most popular and recognised players from the USA and has been a major marketing asset to the club during previous trips across the Pacific Ocean.
Pulisic was part of the group under Thomas Tuchel that featured in matches last year but has been unable to transfer his form for USMNT onto the pitch for Chelsea. In a second frustrating club season in a row, he only managed one goal in all competitions.
For his country he remains the front man, though, and ended a disappointing campaign with a brilliant CONCACAF Nations League victory, securing the trophy with a 2-0 win over Canada. Pulisic scored twice in the semi-final, setting up a monumental 3-0 win over Mexico.
Due to the absence of Tyler Adams through injury, Pulisic captained his side and was able to be the talisman for BJ Callaghan's men. It isn't a role he has been able to take up for the Blues, though, with consistent management changes and a bloated squad meaning consistency was hard to come by.
Now, with Mauricio Pochettino set to takeover on July 1, attempts are being made to trim the squad down to size. Seven players are already set to leave or have been confirmed as on their way out this window. Pulisic is expected to join some of his teammates in departing, with interested clubs from across the contitnent.
AC Milan, Juventus and Napoli are all keen on signing him from Serie A whilst Crystal Palace, West Ham and Lyon are also linked as well. With a massively lowered asking price of just £20 million ($24m), his exit seems to be almost an inevitability.
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This has all-but-been confirmed by the player, who said: "It’s absolutely a time where I need to figure out what’s going to be best for my future and be somewhere where I can go and play and be trusted and feel good in what I’m doing,” he said. “I want to find that joy at club level again, for sure.”
Chelsea themselves have gone one step further. In a promotional tweet for the 2023 USA tour, the club included dates and locations for five pre-season matces including games against Brighton, Newcastle, Fulham, Wrexham and Borussia Dortmund.
However, with such major change set to take place over the coming days and weeks ahead of the trip, there are just three players included in the post for effect. With three of the most important stars included, Pulisic has been left off the image.
Pochettino himself is pictured, alongside him are Enzo Fernandez, Ben Chilwell and Reece James. That trio are the foundation of the squad and will not be part of the mass exodus from Stamford Bridge. Other popular club figures including Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante and Pulisic have all been left off with the expectation that all three won't be present next season.
Kante himself has already found a new club after reaching the end of his contract without extension. Pulisic is committed until 2024 and with no sign of further talks to remain, will be sold this summer in order to bank a fee for the player and to also help progress his career at the same time.
