Christian Pulisic, the United States midfielder, has said that the 2022-23 season with his club Chelsea was “really tough”. Speaking to reporters on Monday from Carson, California where the USMNT is training ahead of its June 15 CONCACAF Nations League semifinal versus Mexico, Pulisic said he was eager to get on the field with the national team and get back to “being that confident player I know I can be”.
Pulisic’s statistical performance this season was his worst since he first played with Borussia Dortmund in 2015-16. He played only 813 minutes in league play, and even on a per 90-minute basis, Pulisic’s touches, goals, expected goals, shots, and shots on target percentage were all substantially lower than previous campaigns with Chelsea.
Pulisic’s diminishing role with Chelsea, along with the glut of players on the Blues’ roster since new owner Todd Boehly arrived, has given the impression that he will be switching clubs during the summer. Juventus is one possible destination for the 24-year-old, but Pulisic insisted that the national team would be his sole focus over the next few weeks.
Pulisic said that he is excited to get back playing and just enjoy himself and do what he loves to do out on the field. The USMNT will enter the CNL semifinal against Mexico with its second interim manager of the year in B.J. Callaghan.
The U.S. men have been without a manager since Gregg Berhalter’s contract was allowed to expire at the end of 2022 amid an investigation into a domestic violence incident from 1992 that involved him and his wife Rosalind. The U.S. Soccer investigation ultimately concluded that Berhalter and his wife accurately portrayed the nature of the 1992 incident, and he was free to be hired for a coaching role in the future.
After Berhalter’s contract wasn’t renewed, Anthony Hudson managed the team for five games. But he resigned late last month to take an unnamed managerial post in the Middle East, leaving Callaghan to take over. Pulisic said dealing with change at club and international level was something he’s used to, but his familiarity with Callaghan would ease the transition.
Pulisic has had quite a few managers in his time, so he has dealt with change. Callaghan, who has been a part of Gregg’s staff, is well known to the team, and the players know what he is all about. He is not going to come in and try to change everything. Instead, he will come in, give some new ideas, and run everything by the team and some of the leadership guys.
The U.S. team will have to be well prepared once the game comes around. It’s not something that any of them have never seen before, so they’re just going to give their best and help Callaghan along the way as he helps them win some games.
On the possibility of Berhalter returning as U.S. coach, Pulisic said he supports the idea. He thinks Berhalter did a great job with the team and brought them a long way. Many people and players in the team would agree with that.
Pulisic is looking for a fresh start with the USMNT after a difficult season with Chelsea. Although he may be switching clubs during the summer, his sole focus is on the national team at the moment. The USMNT will be led by interim manager B.J. Callaghan in the CNL semifinal against Mexico. Pulisic is used to change at club and international level, and he is looking forward to giving his best to help Callaghan and the team win some games.
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