Fitter, stronger, more clinical: Pulisic itching to play after ‘frustrating’ injury

If and when Chelsea resume training, players will certainly have their work cut out for them to get back to some level of match fitness — even though most of them have been doing their best to stay active and engaged while in lockdown. After a two-month layoff, if not more, it will be another pre-season, practically, though probably a couple weeks shorter than a usual pre-season.

On the plus side however, Chelsea should have a significantly shorter injury list than at the start of the break. We might recall that in the last game played, the 4-0 excellence against Everton, the Blues were without Mateo Kovačić, N’Golo Kanté, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Christian Pulisic, while two starters, Willian and Ross Barkley were also carrying knocks.

Presumably, like Pulisic, they will all be fit to start training whenever that does begin. The young winger had been out since the new year after his groin injury dragged on as soft tissue injuries, especially groin injuries tend to do.

“I didn’t take it as seriously as I think I should have. It was one of those you felt you could do a lot of things but you try to push it that one extra step and realise it’s not ready yet.”

“It was a frustrating process but I’m feeling good and ready to go again.”

That injury of course wasn’t the only frustrating part of Pulisic’s first season at Stamford Bridge. His own form has had a bit of a roller-coaster ride, but when he was on top, his impact was immediate and critical.

We’re hoping for more of that, and even better than that, in the future as he fully adjusts to the English game and continues his development.

“I want to learn to be even more clinical in front of goal continue to boost my numbers, get more goals and assists. I want to be stronger on the ball, being able to hold off players and those are two areas that I’m definitely working on.”

-Christian Pulisic; source: Sky

With 150 professional appearances under his belt, it’s easy to forget that Pulisic is still just 21. If he fulfills his potential, he will be boosting not only his own numbers, but Chelsea’s trophy count as well for many years to come!