Former USMNT star Eric Wynalda says that Christian Pulisic demonstrated a good attitude as he played wing-back for Chelsea against Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday night.
Following Reece James' injury, which sees him ruled out of action for the World Cup, including England's game against the USA on November 25, Pulisic played in the unfamiliar role on the right flank in Austria on Tuesday. He took over James' role, putting in an assured display as he recorded an assist for Kai Havertz in the 2-1 win.
Pulisic has struggled for consistent game time under Graham Potter so far this season at Chelsea, but USMNT centurion Wynalda praised the 23-year-old for his attitude in the win. Wynalda was speaking to VegasInsider and compared Pulisic's positivity to that of Raheem Sterling who he said seemed more out of place in the wing-back role.
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He explained: “Sterling played wing back once and that did not go well at all. There were a lot of looks to the bench. There was ‘I can't defend’. 'I should be up there where Mount’s playing’. 'Put me up there I don’t wanna be here’. His ego really was the reason why that hasn’t happened again.”
“Pulisic is saying ‘I'll play, I got it. Let’s go’ and that’s why we got to see him at wing back. He got an assist out of the game where he came inside to pick up the ball which might be him indicating to his manager that he needs more of the ball and he doesn’t want to be chasing the ball. He wants to have the ball."
However, despite the positivity for Pulisic's role, Wynalda explained that if the former Borussia Dortmund man is not able to play on the left-wing as is his natural position then his future may lie away from West London.
He added: "Long term future he needs to be a left winger in a team where he’s going to get more time. I would not mind seeing Christian Pulisic wearing the black and white stripes of Newcastle.”
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