Christian Pulisic is currently on international duty with the United States, but his club future remains a key talking point through the summer.
The Chelsea attacker has two years left on his contract and could be a candidate to leave the club this summer. His minutes have waned at Stamford Bridge under manager Thomas Tuchel, often deployed out of position to fit the German’s tactical setup.
Even with a new American-led ownership group installed at Chelsea, there has been chatter in the media that Pulisic could be on the move in search of more playing time while remaining at a Champions League level club. His father Mark sent and deleted a Tweet questioning his future at the Blues, only serving to fuel rumors of a summer exit.
Still, Pulisic remains an important figure at the club and would require a financial investment for any suitor looking to secure his services.
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Christian Pulisic contract at Chelsea
Pulisic joined Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund officially in January of 2019 for $73 million (€67.5m / £58m), loaned back to Borussia Dortmund through that summer before moving to Stamford Bridge. He signed a five-year contract upon arrival in London.
With no extensions signed since then, the American, now 23 years old, has a contract with Chelsea through the summer of 2024.
Pulisic stats with Chelsea
Pulisic saw a Chelsea career low in minutes through the 2021-22 season, with less use under Tuchel thanks in large part to positional incompatibility with the Chelsea boss.
| Season & Competition | Apps | Mins | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 Premier League | 25 | 1,727 | 9 | 6 |
| 2019-20 FA Cup | 2 | 121 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019-20 EFL Cup | 2 | 160 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019-20 Champions League | 4 | 266 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019-20 UEFA Super Cup | 1 | 74 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019-20 TOTALS | 34 | 2,348 | 11 | 10 |
| 2020-21 Premier League | 27 | 1,735 | 4 | 2 |
| 2020-21 FA Cup | 6 | 297 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020-21 Champions League | 10 | 420 | 2 | 2 |
| 2020-21 TOTALS | 43 | 2,452 | 6 | 4 |
| 2021-22 Premier League | 22 | 1,285 | 6 | 2 |
| 2021-22 FA Cup | 4 | 251 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021-22 EFL Cup | 3 | 129 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021-22 Champions League | 7 | 368 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021-22 UEFA Super Cup | 1 | 77 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021-22 Club World Cup | 1 | 89 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021-22 TOTALS | 38 | 2,199 | 8 | 5 |
Will Chelsea transfer Christian Pulisic?
The Blues could potentially look to move on from Pulisic this summer.
With two years left on the American’s deal at Stamford Bridge, this would be the time for the club to earn top dollar on a transfer, consequently seeing his value diminish if he stays into the final year of his contract.
Still, Pulisic has been extremely consistent and valuable to the Chelsea attack, providing a creative threat up front and a goalscoring presence in front of net. His 25 goals for Chelsea across the last three seasons are nearly evenly spread across the three campaigns, adding 19 assists as well.
How Dembele move could impact Pulisic’s future
According to a June 8 report by French publication Le10Sport, out-of-contract Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele has accepted Chelsea’s proposal and will be headed to Stamford Bridge this coming season.
The 25-year-old, who played under Thomas Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund, was one of Barcelona’s best players through the second half of 2021-22, and could provide a jolt to a Chelsea attack that sputtered at times throughout the season. His presence could also have a massive effect on Pulisic’s standing at Chelsea.
According to a host of reports through the spring and early summer, Dembele’s contract demands were much higher than what cash-strapped Barcelona could afford. If Chelsea accede to Dembele’s higher salary demands, that could force the Blues to shed wages elsewhere.
Given the club has a wealth of attacking talent already on the roster, players like Pulisic, Timo Werner, and Romelu Lukaku could be set for an exit to balance the books, especially with the club also needing to bring in defenders.
MORE: Latest Liverpool summer transfer news
Latest Christian Pulisic transfer news
With rumors of a Stamford Bridge departure for Pulisic this summer, here’s the latest news regarding the American star and his club future.
Liverpool interest
With Sadio Mane set to leave Liverpool this summer, linked heavily with a move to Bayern Munich, Liverpool is in the market for a new winger. Takumi Minamino is not seen (yet, anyways) as fit for a consistent starting role at Anfield, and new arrival Fabio Carvalho is young and inexperienced at the top-flight level.
Pulisic may not simply walk into a starting role, with Luis Diaz starting his Liverpool tenure with aplomb and playing in Pulisic’s same left wing position. Still, given the likely departure of Mane, and both Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah dipping in form through the second half of last year, he would have plenty of opportunity to see the field at Anfield.
Pulisic did not play for the Dortmund senior side under Jurgen Klopp, but the two surely have connections from their spells at the German side.
Update (June 5): According to a report by the Daily Star, Liverpool have interest in Pulisic. The report was corroborated by Christian Falk of Bild in Germany.
Links in Italy: Pulisic monitored by Juventus, AC Milan
As the American has shined in the Premier League, interest has grown from abroad. Pulisic has already played top-flight soccer in both Germany and England, but could he add another nation to that list?
Reports indicate that Italian clubs Juventus and AC Milan are interested in the American. AC Milan is coming off a title-winning season, while Juventus is hoping for a return to the top of the Serie A table.
A move to Turin could be especially interesting as Pulisic would link up with fellow USMNT teammate Weston McKennie. At AC Milan, Pulisic would have to compete with up-and-coming youngster Rafael Leao for a left wing position.
Update (June 4): According to a report by The Daily Mail, AC Milan and Juventus are “monitoring” Pulisic’s status, although neither side are expected to pay close to the $73 million Chelsea shelled out for Pulisic to secure his services from Borussia Dortmund.
What has Christian Pulisic said about his Chelsea future?
Speaking prior to the USMNT game against Morocco on June 1, Pulisic was coy about his time at Chelsea and his possible future switch, saying he’d like to see more time while conceding that he was still heavily involved in the Blues’ first-team plans.
“Of course, I want to get more playing time,” Pulisic said. “I want to be on the field as much as I can and be the sharpest I can be and fit as well.
“I think I still got a lot of games, but it’s always something that I’m working at and trying to be regular at club level as well to put myself in the best position to be fit when I come here with the national team.”