Christian Pulisic has struggled to cement a place in the Chelsea squad under a number of managers but he could be handed another chance by a new manager
Christian Pulisic could be handed a final Chelsea lifeline if a new manager is appointed (Image: (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images))
Graham Potter’s imminent future as Chelsea boss has presented Todd Boehly with a fresh predicament in England. The 47-year-old has found himself as the favourite to be sacked in the Premier League after a string of incompetent results, but he has faith from the board.
The weekend’s defeat to Southampton means Potter has now lost the same amount of games than he has won, leaving Chelsea 10th in the table. The Blues’ hopes of retaining UEFA Champions League football for next season edged deeper into doubt as the matches tick by.
A chorus of boos from a depleted Stamford Bridge at the sound of David Coote’s full-time whistle sent a daunting message to Boehly. The fanbase, it seems, have lost complete faith in the former Brighton boss in turning the club’s fortunes around – short term and long term.
football.london understands Potter still retains the support of the Chelsea ownership, despite a torrid run of form. Since his arrival in September, the Blues have won only nine games – with six of them coming in his first nine games – with eight defeats coming in the last 14 games.
There is credit in the bank for Potter. The job he did at the AMEX Stadium across the three seasons in the Premier League made him an instant number one favourite to replace Thomas Tuchel and with a fully fit squad, oversaw crucial victories over AC Milan (twice), Aston Villa, Wolves and RB Salzburg.
But, as is well-documented, Chelsea have been very unfortunate with the amount of appearances within the medical room at Cobham. Currently, there are five players out: Cesar Azpilicueta, Christian Pulisic, Armando Broja, Edouard Mendy and N’Golo Kante.
It would be rather unlucky for Potter if he was to be dismissed and a new manager receives the advantage of the return of said absentees. One player that is crying out for a rebirth of his dwindling career is Pulisic.
The USMNT star has been out injured after picking up a knock in the league defeat to Manchester City in January. Prior to his injury, the 24-year-old had started only eight games this season and has found regular minutes hard to come by.
The same story unfolded under Tuchel when Pulisic was largely a bit-part member of the German’s squad. Since his £58million move from Borussia Dortmund in 2019, the forward simply hasn’t lived up to the expectations he carried from Germany.
“Christian, over the years, you could see how he got more and more mature, how he took more and more responsibility onto himself on the field and off the field,” former USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said last year.
“He has a lot of character and a lot of personality. What he went through, starting at 17, is just wonderful. It’s wonderful and he’s still by far not there yet. He’s just able to get better and he will become even more of a leader.”
Pulisic’s development has stagnated in recent years. But fresh ideas in the Stamford Bridge dug-out with a new head coach could see the American flourish into the leader for Chelsea.
For now, Pulisic will focus on his recovery and aim to be one of Potter’s saviours this season. But if Boehly is to pull the trigger and replace the Englishman, a new manager could be Pulisic’s personal saviour in England.
The current favourite to replace Potter is former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino. It’s been three and a half years since the Argentine was in England, but he’s been constantly linked with a new role since departing Paris-Saint Germain.
Pochettino has worked a host of different personalities in his time in coaching. With Chelsea’s congested first team, the former Spurs chief has previous in managing big squads. “Players never want to be told the truth. And from my perspective, it’s never easy when you have to tell a player that they’re wrong,” he wrote on The Athletic.
“Because if you rush a player, when they’re not ready, their performances will not be at the right level and that is a risk,” Pochettino added.
“When you do put them in, you have to support them to play every single game, to get the experience and to feel the confidence that even if they make a mistake you will still support them. In September 2014, we did not think Harry (Kane) was ready just yet.
“But me and my coaching staff, we love to work with young players. We love to work to try to discover what exactly they need to improve to reach the top. And I don’t want to sound arrogant by saying this, but I do think that as a coaching staff, me and my team have the ability to detect those innate qualities and to see their potential as players.”
