Graham Potter may grant Chelsea outcast Christian Pulisic more game-time by converting him into an attacking wing-back.
That is according to journalist Simon Phillips (via GIVEMESPORT), who claims that the 23-year-old winger may have his fortunes revived under his new manager.
What’s the word?
Whilst the journalist can foresee the likes of Jorginho and Hakim Ziyech struggling for minutes under the new Chelsea boss, he believes that it will be an entirely different narrative for Pulisic.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Phillips said: “Players like Jorginho are going to struggle. I think Ziyech is going to struggle getting in that team. I don’t really see where he fits.
“Pulisic is one to watch, I think, because he might be used as one of those attacking wing-backs. I think he might get some more game time if that is what Potter does.”
One to watch
Having burst into life at Stamford Bridge with an impressive 15 attacking returns in the form of nine goals and six assists in his first 25 Premier League games for the club, Pulisic’s input has faded somewhat since then.
Injury has played its part in seeing the American start just 13 matches last season, with illness and an ankle injury limiting his action. They have been a hindrance to his career at Stamford Bridge thus far, seeing him miss 44 games in his three full years in west London.
Pulisic’s record for the USA national team has seen him score 21 goals in 50 appearances. In that context, being his country’s captain, he is valued in a squad which functions around him and plays to his strengths.
If the same could be done at club level, merged with consistency from the 23-year-old’s end, we could be looking at a lethal force on the flank.
If Potter is to convert Pulisic into a wing-back (a role which is currently alien to him), with the way that the 47-year-old utilises his central midfielders to sit back as the initiators in the attacking phase, we could be looking at a tactical tweak which serves to be the making of the American in the Premier League.
Only time will tell, but this is definitely one to keep an eye on, especially with Pulisic’s compatriot Todd Boehly now at the helm of the club.
