Graham Potter gives transfer update on 24-year-old Chelsea star after 2-1 win over Palace
Following Chelsea 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, Graham Potter has issued an update on the future of Christian Pulisic amid the winger’s seemingly uncertain future at Chelsea. The 24-year-old was heavily linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge in the summer after having fallen out of favour under former boss Thomas Tuchel.
Pulisic, who sees his contract with the west Londoners expire in 2024, featured 22 times for the Blues in the Premier League last season, directly contributing towards eight goals. He played a bit-part role in Chelsea securing Champions League qualification amid steep competition for places in the first-team.
With first-team opportunities still hard to come by under new boss Potter, the United States international would ‘gladly accept’ a move to AC Milan in January, according to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport. It’s said that Todd Boehly is looking to propose a player plus cash swap deal for Rafael Leao.
And, the report states that the Rossoneri has held long-term interest in Pulisic making a deal potentially all the merrier. Prior to the American taking centre stage off the bench in Chelsea’s clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, Potter drew a line under the speculation concerning his player’s future.
As quoted by Goal, the newly-appointed Blues boss said: “I think players go through periods of their careers where they have to suffer a little bit for whatever reason and don’t get their game time that they would like and it’s part of the job, it’s part of the sign up to being a Premier League player. It’s not straightforward to be a regular in a top-four team.
“I can only comment on him in terms of how he’s been with me. Really positive, he’s an intelligent guy, articulate, knows how to express himself. My conversation with him has been good and positive, I’m not going to judge anybody on what has happened in the past, I’m going to make my own mind up. Football hopefully decides.”
However, For now, the £44million-rated forward will be keen to nail down a place in Potter’s side ahead of the World Cup with the winter transfer window not open until January. So, for now, Chelsea must plan a future with Pulisic, who has great potential waiting to be unlocked.