Pulisic: ‘I’ve always admired the winning mentality at Chelsea’

Your daily Christian Pulisic hype comes courtesy of SoccerBible, which, despite the name, is actually a UK-based football-lifestyle (online) publication. Of course, the word ‘soccer’ does come from England, even if it is now largely associated with America.

In any case, Pulisic is there to model the new Chelsea away shirt — love the new classic — and talk through the usual talking points he tends to have to talk through in every interview: growing up in America, dreaming the Premier League dream, making a name for himself in Germany as a very young professional, and now getting ready to live the Premier League dream with Chelsea. Apparently, the Blues have been on his radar since an early age.

“I remember so clearly when Chelsea won the league in 2005 with Drogba, Lampard, Terry; that team was amazing, or when Aguero scored on the last match day to give City the title. Those exciting stories were what made me love the Premier League growing up. To be in the position I am in now is just a dream.”

“Of course, yeah. I had all of [the posters and shirts]. I was a big fan.”

“I always wanted it to happen, it was a big dream of mine, but now that it’s actually here I don’t want to take it for granted. It really is special. It’s just a huge honour and this wave of emotions just washes over you when you put [the shirt] on for the first time.”

Hype aside, Pulisic is still largely an unknown quantity with plenty of question marks (and even greater expectations), and is coming off of a stop-start season with BVB thanks to multiple nagging injuries. It’s also easy to overlook that he’s still just 20 years old, which is even younger than when Eden Hazard joined the club. Comparisons between the two will be inevitable as one has essentially replaced the other (even if that wasn’t necessarily the plan), but one telling difference is that Hazard was first and foremost about having fun. Pulisic is lot more target oriented, and if nothing else, will always put in the utmost effort.

“This year I have been able to watch Chelsea as both a fan but also as part of the team, they had a great season so that’s something the club can be proud of. I’ve always admired the winning mentality at Chelsea, that’s an environment that I can’t wait to be a part of.”

-Christian Pulisic; source: SoccerBible

If everything goes to plan, Pulisic will be a big part of maintaining that mentality for many years to come. He should be making his preseason debut on this trip to Japan, either against Kawasaki Frontale on Friday or against Barcelona on Tuesday.