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Daniel Childs

Christian Pulisic's bold Chelsea message shows ace can reach 'incredible' Frank Lampard prophecy

At the ground where Christian Pulisic ignited his Chelsea career in October 2019, the American rekindled the excitement over the Blues splashing nearly £60m on his talent three years ago.

On that Autumn night in Lancashire when the American completed the perfect hat-trick with a left-foot, right-foot and header to claim the match-ball, a star was supposed to be born.

By the end of that season, you could argue it had been based on an incredible run of form to end the 2019/20 season.

We all know the tales of his persistent injury issues that have halted that ascent since, but the past two weeks should be enough to offer new encouragement to those hoping to see Pulisic avoid a summer exit.

Although his teammates Reece James and Kai Havertz naturally took most of the plaudits, Pulisic's second-half contribution was nothing to sniff at either in a convincing 4-0 win.

A brilliant cross to the back post that Havertz nodded in, a clear hand in the build-up to the third as he dragged Burnley's defence all over the place before smartly finding N'Golo Kante on the edge of the box, whose simple pass to the overlapping James made Havertz's tap-in a formality.

His goal could not have been simpler, assisted by James Tarkowski's panicked clearance that perfectly landed at Pulisic's feet to rifle in for Chelsea's fourth, his fifth of the season and his second in his last three starts.

It was a massive show of faith from Tuchel to stick with Pulisic after both Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku had scored against Luton in midweek.

Despite the missed chances that cost Chelsea at Wembley last weekend, Tuchel clearly had seen enough from Pulisic, Havertz and Mason Mount to be convinced they suited his approach best and it paid off.

What also helps Pulisic is his ongoing run without injury.

Since recovering from an ankle injury in November, he has remained fit. Only missing games due to being an unused sub or being left out of the squad against Plymouth last month due to a late return from international duty with the USMNT.

This is pretty big for Pulisic given the severe nature of his injury issues over his time in west London.

It is also of big benefit to the winger that Tuchel is now favouring him in his preferred attacking role from the left where he has always proved most effective for Chelsea.

His goal instincts have rarely been in question inside the box but the addition of crosses like the one to Havertz will further help him solidify a consistent role in attack.

Frank Lampard, the coach for whom he started with at Chelsea and who he had that infamous run under in the summer of 2020, summed up the potential many cling onto whenever his future is called into question.

Speaking after his goal against Leeds in December 2020, Lampard praised his instinct to find the back of the net.

"He has an incredible gift, it sounds simple but arriving in the six-yard box as a wide man, because that is where the goals are. So I was delighted that he got his goal and he is only going to get stronger now."

There have been many false dawns with Pulisic at Chelsea and at this point, you cannot blame people for holding judgement in fear of another setback.

But Saturday was a message that the American is not going to let his Blues career fade away easily.

Make sure you have subscribed to CareFreeChelsea on YouTube! The Fan Brands team along with plenty of your football.london favourites will be producing daily Chelsea content for you to enjoy including match reactions, podcasts, football fun and interviews. You can follow Daniel Childs from the CareFreeChelsea team to keep up to date with his work. If you enjoyed reading this then give my other articles a read below.

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