The former Chelsea winger has finally completed a move to the Rossoneri, who could use him in a variety of different ways
It's finally over. Christian Pulisic's Chelsea career has come to an end. Some will say that it has come six-to-12 months after the real expiration date, but it's better late than never, right?
Pulisic's time at Stamford Bridge is over, and it'll be remembered with mixed emotions, from the highs of a Champions League title to the lows of… just about everything else. That postmortem, though, has been written over the last several months. Now, the time has come to focus on the future.
That future will now be at AC Milan. Pulisic has completed a move to another giant of the European game, with the Rossoneri having paid an initial €20 million (£17m/$22m) to sign the United States superstar.
He's almost certainly making a financial sacrifice to move to Italy, as few non-Saudi Arabian clubs are paying players anything close to what Chelsea are offering in the current market. But, in just about every other facet, Milan find themselves in a better place than Chelsea at the current moment.
The Italian giants can offer Champions League football, which is always good. They offer a hell of a lifestyle, with Milan remaining one of the world's most glamorous clubs. And, perhaps most importantly, they offer a legitimate path to playing time that Pulisic never had at Chelsea.
But what does that look like? What can Pulisic expect from Milan, and what can Milan expect from Pulisic when he does get on the field? GOAL takes a look at this new partnership and how Pulisic could fit in at San Siro…
GettyPulisic's positions
Most of those that follow Pulisic would associate his game with the left wing, and they'd be right. Originally hailed as the ideal replacement for Eden Hazard upon his arrival at Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund, Pulisic was expected to lock down that left-hand side at Stamford Bridge. Naturally right-footed, Pulisic is a player that has the pace to beat defenders to the byline, but also the skill to cut inside and create, making him a fantastic modern winger on that side.
He plays that same role with the U.S. men's national team, having started on that side almost exclusively in recent years. With Antonee Robinson pushing down the line behind him to create width, Pulisic is free to cut inside and create. In his first 60 USMNT appearances, he has 25 goals and, when all is said and done, he may very well be the USMNT's all-time leading scorer if he continues on this current pace.
Pulisic, though, is not just limited to the left-hand side. He's played on the right plenty of times, serving as a more natural old-school winger, while also playing a bit of wing-back for Chelsea. He can also play centrally, having been deployed as a No.10 plenty of times during his USMNT career.
And it's that flexibility that make him such an interesting signing for Milan, who already have a legitimate superstar featuring on Pulisic's favoured flank.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALThe Leao effect
If you were to make a list of the most dynamic attackers in the world today, Rafael Leao would be right near the top of that list. The 24-year-old Portugal star has blossomed into a superstar in Milan, becoming one of the faces of the club's recent resurgence. After so many years stuck behind their rivals, the Rossoneri are well and truly back, with Leao playing a vital part in getting them there.
After being named the Serie A MVP after scoring 14 goals in all competitions for Milan's 2021-22 Scudetto-winning team, he followed up that breakout campaign with 16 more goals last season, while also scoring his first and second international goals for Portugal at the World Cup. Interest soon came from all over Europe, including Chelsea, who saw Leao as a potential centerpiece in attack.
However, in the final weeks of the 2022-23 campaign, Leao signed a contract extension with Milan that runs through 2028. The winger has committed his prime years to the club, where he now has the chance to become a Milan legend.
When it comes to Stefano Pioli's line up, Leao's name is probably the first name on the teamsheet. So, with that in mind, where does Pulisic fit in?
Getty ImagesJust get on the field
The initial thought, for some at least, would be panic. For years, Pulisic's fans have watched him be relegated to the bench due to other options. Injuries, form, managerial decisions… Whatever the reason, Pulisic missed out on far too many moments on the field.
Because of that, any move away from Chelsea is a good move. For Pulisic, the most important thing, especially at this point in his career, is to play.
From a USMNT perspective, would it be nice to see Pulisic dominating on the left wing, the position he plays internationally? Of course. But is it necessary? Not really. Similar to Tim Weah, who himself is looking at a position switch in Serie A, Pulisic will benefit greatly from simply getting on the field, wherever it may be.
It's not that Milan will be playing him as a central defender, after all. No matter where he lines up in attack, he'll be using the same mental and physical attributes, albeit from different spots on the field. And, from a USMNT perspective, a bit of versatility never hurt anyone, right?
Because of that, Leao isn't as much a problem as it is a solution. Pulisic will be lining up next to a truly world-class attacker, which is always a good thing. The question, then, is this: where exactly will Pulisic play?
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GettyMilan under Pioli
To understand where Pulisic may play, you first have to understand the man that will be making the decisions. Pioli is the architect of Milan's resurgence, having taken over the team in 2019. In the years since, he's led Milan to the club's first Scudetto in over a decade as well as a Champions League semi-final.
Pioli, largely, has utilized a 4-2-3-1 throughout his managerial career, although last season saw Milan also play a 3-4-2-1 formation to accommodate their strong core of central defenders. The Italian manager is also a coach known for getting the most out of young players, as evidenced by several key stars currently in Milan's team. Which leads us back to Pulisic, who should play a key role no matter the system.