Christian Pulisic has suffered another setback ahead of Chelsea's game against Aston Villa on Saturday. The Blues are looking to make it five games unbeaten in all competitions but will have to do it without their USMNT star attacker.
The 24-year-old, who was a surprise inclusion from the start against Everton last time out for his club, played both games for the USA over the international break. It was just his second and third starts for club or country since an injury on January 5 derailed his season.
The winger spent two months out while new, young attackers Noni Madueke, Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk set about making their mark on Graham Potter. His return to action was timely though, coming off the bench against former team Borussia Dortmund in the vital Champions League last-16 second leg win at SW6.
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Since then, Pulisic has slowly built up his gametime. The week after he was once more on the bench, with Mudryk getting the nod in the starting XI. That was followed by the start against Everton though, a game in which Pulisic looked sharp but also lacking match fitness.
He righted that when captaining Anthony Hudson's America side against Grenada and El Salvador to two key CONCACAF Nations League wins over the international though. With the perfect chance to keep the positive momentum going Potter's latest squad update gave a blow for Pulisic, with the setback coming at a bad time.
"[Christian] Pulisic is the only one," the boss said ahead of the game. "He had a heavy cold returning from international duty so he's one we've got to check on."
The cold has now keep Pulisic out of action with the forward left out of the starting XI for the Villa game with Mason Mount returning to the bench. Pulisic also took his place amongst the substitutes.
Pulisic will be hoping he can get back into contention for the upcoming Champions League quarter-final ties with Real Madrid.
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