Three months and four Chelsea games have passed since Christian Pulisic last struck for his club. Fifty-five minutes into the Blues' 3-0 win over Leeds United back on May 11, the American found the back of the net with a left-footed strike past Illan Meslier.
It was his eighth and final goal of what was a disappointing season for Pulisic, who was restricted in terms of minutes on the pitch. The 23-year-old played a total of 2,207 minutes – in 38 appearances in all competitions – for Chelsea over the 2021/22 season.
Only Callum Hudson-Odoi – who missed much of the season through injury – played less minutes (1,876) out of Chelsea's attacking options than Pulisic. Timo Werner (2,215), Hakim Ziyech (2,489), Romelu Lukaku (2,748), Mason Mount (3,784) and Kai Havertz (3,244) were all on the pitch for longer.
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Two games into the new season, Pulisic has played a total of 31 minutes – coming on in Chelsea's opening two matches against Everton and Tottenham. This weekend's clash with Leeds may see him once again on the bench, after a superb performance from Chelsea's front three of Mount, Havertz and Raheem Sterling last Sunday against Spurs.
It's the sad reality of Pulisic's situation at Chelsea at the moment. football.london understands the former Borussia Dortmund wide man was very frustrated with his lack of opportunities under Thomas Tuchel last season and he is now looking to leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes at the start of next month.
As per a report from The Athletic earlier in the week, Manchester United are 'considering' making a loan move for the United States international. football.london has been told previously there is interest elsewhere in the Premier League and numerous foreign clubs are also keeping an eye on his situation in west London.
Pulisic and his Chelsea team-mate, Hudson-Odoi, are both being linked with moves away from London, but Tuchel – speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon – refused to be drawn on the speculation.
"I know there is a lot of talk," Tuchel said on rumours linking the duo with a move away from the club. "We will not comment on our players [possibly leaving].
"We had two training sessions with 18 players in a schedule where we play once a week. We have what we have, we know what we're looking for and only from there we can think about players leaving."
Pulisic is tired of playing second fiddle at Stamford Bridge. It's understandable he is looking elsewhere, but the reality is that he hasn't taken his opportunities when they have arrived.
In Project Restart, Pulisic was one of – and this isn't even an exaggeration – the most devastating attacking players in the Premier League at the time. The talent and ability is undeniable but the consistency levels haven't been what's required under Tuchel.
There's an argument that Tuchel's system doesn't suit the American, but that's even more the reason to move him on. Chelsea are in no rush to offload Pulisic, but the American's desire to leave could somewhat force the Blues' hand with less than two years remaining on his current contract.
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