Christian Pulisic has perhaps never had it so hard at Chelsea. For most of his time in London, the American has been close to the starting XI, either missing out on rotation or due to injury. It's not always been a smooth ride but he's been in the conversation.
After the January transfer window that appears to have changed somewhat though. Given the added depth to the Chelsea attack, with four more forwards coming in over the winter, Pulisic faces competition like never before.
Previously there has been Timo Werner, often played more centrally, or Hakim Ziyech to displace. Callum Hudson-Odoi has provided brief challenges to Pulisic's attempts to start more often. The system with inside No10s hasn't favoured the USMNT star but then again it wouldn't be the formation of choice for many of the club's big money transfers in recent years.
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Ziyech himself never got the right-hand side he wanted to thrive, Kai Havertz has been used as a striker more than would have been planned in 2020 and Mason Mount is now more of an attacker than a midfielder. Pulisic has always been part of the mix.
Brief runs here and there have seen him show signs of the player Chelsea thought and hoped he would grow to become in 2019 but the stunted nature of his development, as a result of many factors, has only hindered things. Now, Pulsic can once more go away with his country on international duty, safe in the knowledge that he is appreciated and still plays a key role.
When it comes to April 1 and facing Aston Villa for the Blues the story might be quite different. Pulisic has slipped down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. Despite his start against Everton, which caught many by surprise, the 24-year-old is arguably below Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Joao Felix, Conor Gallagher and even Noni Madueke when it comes to the front line.
Situation dependent, Pulisic got the nod over Mudryk against Everton and from the bench in the Champions League over him too, but heading into next season there is an even bigger ask. Christopher Nkunku joining is only going to make things harder for the American who, at this stage, wants to be the star of a side rather than a bit-part player.
He now has a chance to shine for his country again, capturing the attention of a nation as he did at the World Cup. It's also a fresh opportunity to show Graham Potter how important he can still be, especially with European experience and two legs against Real Madrid coming up.
Get the goals
It sounds simple but Chelsea don't score enough. They lack natural finishers and any semblance of a dominant goal-getter. Pulisic has never really been this player in his career but for USA he nearly has a one-in-two ratio, much better than his club numbers and also more than his club teammates can boast.
Pulisic has played through the middle from time to time for America and may well do so again in the absence of Timothy Weah and Josh Sargent but the most important thing is to get the attention of Potter. Goals win games and Pulisic needs to show he can be that man once more.
Play with a smile
Too often for his club, Pulisic has looked like a man battling demons. When it comes to being with his fellow countrymen the pressure appears to lift. At a time of uncertainty regarding his future, the break away from Chelsea could do some favours.
Even without good friend Tyler Adams in the camp, videos from the Orlando training sessions have shown a brilliant atmosphere for those part of Anthony Hudson's squad. If Pulisic can foster this and enjoy his time away, getting back to playing with freedom, then it will help both player and club get the best out of each other.
Stay fit!
Too often Pulisic has had a run of games or built up ahead of steam for a return only to have it cut short. It has left him agonisingly on the sidelines for domestic games, missing out on the chance to get a proper run in the team.
In January he was afforded that chance due to injuries elsewhere in the squad but he himself was caught in an unfortunate challenge and then missed two months. By the time he had returned Chelsea had spent over £160m on new attackers.
If there is to be a new chapter in the Pulisic story at SW6 then it needs to come in the next two-and-a-half months. The only way to do that would be to stay fit, build up fitness whilst away and come back ready to compete for a first-team spot straight away.
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