Christian Pulisic is running out of time and opportunities to make a mark at Chelsea before an expected departure at the end of the season.
Pulisic was named on the substitute's bench for the Blues' game at Manchester City on Sunday. It was the fourth time in five games Pulisic began a game on the bench with his most recent outing for Frank Lampard's side coming in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on April 15.
It is remarkable Pulisic has not played a single minute in over a month for the Blues but he has struggled with injury and form this season, the reasons behind his lack of playing time recently. Mauricio Pochettino, widely expected to be the next Chelsea manager, will be watching the Man City game with a keen eye and see the Pulisic snub as a clear warning that the player could be on his way out.
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Chelsea have endured a torrid campaign, with Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter both sacked and Lampard seeing out the season in interim charge. Pulisic has had to contend with competition on the wings at Stamford Bridge after the arrivals of Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk in January.
Because his contract runs out at the end of the season, Pulisic is a contender for an exit this summer as the club's owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital look to offset their £600 million spend on transfers since taking over last year. Pulisic, still only 24, is a saleable asset and has been linked with a move to Serie A champions Napoli.
Indeed, it was even suggested by the club's owner Aurelio De Laurentiis that he would like to sign a United States of America international, meaning Pulisic would fit the bill. "I would like to add more players," De Laurentiis said in the aftermath of Napoli's first title win for over 30 years.
"I would like to have an American, because in America even if the league is worth little, there are great players who shine in the national team."
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