Can Christian Pulisic resurrect his Chelsea career after falling massively out of favour under now former manager Thomas Tuchel?
That was the question that large sways of the Blues fanbase pondered on social media after the summer transfer window came to a close. The 24-year-old was denied a much-wanted loan switch within the Premier League as Manchester United were knocked back.
Todd Boehly made the controversial decision to keep a player who was clearly disgruntled under the previous manager around in the hope that the former Borussia Dortmund star could somehow work his way back into the thinking and he has been aided in that task with the unpopular sacking of Thomas Tuchel.
However, despite this fresh chance presented his way by new manager Graham Potter who has already come out on record to state that every player will be given a fresh opportunity under his guidance, the fans may take some more convincing with their current stance and action clear for all to see and witness.
READ MORE: Christian Pulisic injury update ahead of Crystal Palace clash as new Chelsea transfer price set
During the RB Salzburg Champions League draw, there were mummers that boos could be heard when both Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech were on the ball. Unsurprisingly, these were two players frozen out by Tuchel and therefore were both eager to find pastures new elsewhere.
Chelsea's number 10, who featured as captain in USA's latest friendly vs Saudi Arabia amid injury concerns upon potentially returning for the Crystal Palace fixture that directly follows this current international break, has been backed to be one of the main players to benefit from a Potter regime but the jury is still out.
If things weren't to work out in the end for the Hershey-born star, a January or summer exit could be on the cards finally after this up-and-down rollercoaster. Despite his various injury woes, he wouldn't be short of suitors with Leeds United the latest to join the ever-growing list of clubs.
Italian media outlet CalcioMercato claim Chelsea would be willing to accept an offer in the region of £31.5million. It is understood that Leeds' sporting director Victor Orta, who has been linked to the Chelsea vacancy following the Christoph Freund failure, is driving this move for the Elland Road-based club.
Alongside Orta, manager Jesse Marsch will be a big factor in influencing the hierarchy to consider making a serious investment in a player who has burned hot and cold during his three-year stay in England to date. "Christian [Pulisic] is a big, big talent, the best in our country," Marcelo Bielsa's successor said earlier this summer via Leeds Live. "The expectations on him are high, he has met a lot of those expectations. But with his talent, people are demanding more.
"Every time I’ve coached against him, he’s scored. I don’t have any negative criticisms. I would love to work with him, whether it is with the national team in the distant future. He has created a lot of firsts for American players.”
The former manager of both Red Bull-owned teams within the European remit even has been quoted criticising former Blues boss Frank Lampard for not fully understanding his countryman's quality and how to get the best out of it.
He said back in 2020: "I could see right away that Frank Lampard’s idea of Christian Pulisic was shaped a lot by the fact that he was American and not that his football education came a lot from what has happened in Germany."
Chelsea fans - How would you feel about Christian Pulisic moving to Leeds United? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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