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https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/11/25/
pulisic--thrilled-to-be-back--and-enjoying-his-new-role

Pulisic 'thrilled to be back' and enjoying his new role

25 Nov 2021


Christian Pulisic is delighted with how his return from injury is going
and pleased to be able to help the team in new ways after featuring at the
centre of our attack.


https://i.imgur.com/BNw0rDX.jpg


The American has been forced to watch much of the season so far from the
sidelines due to the injury he suffered after scoring in our first Premier
League fixture of the season, a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in mid-August.


It proved to be a tricky problem to get over, with a couple of setbacks
further delaying his return to action and frustrating his efforts to
contribute to our impressive form so far this season.


He returned as a substitute at the beginning of this month, but it is
since the last international break that he has seemed to have rediscovered
his sharpness, scoring from the bench in Saturday's 3-0 win at Leicester
City before being named in the starting line-up for the excellent 4-0
victory at home against Juventus on Tuesday evening.


'I'm feeling really good,' confirmed Pulisic. 'My body's feeling much
better and I'm getting even better with more time on the pitch and
starting to gain fitness.


'It was quite a tough injury to deal with, to be honest. There were times
when I thought that I could come back but I was just still dealing with
too much pain. Now I'm in a much better place and I'm very happy with the
way it feels and we go from now.


https://i.imgur.com/Mm9ob8s.jpg
Back on the score sheet at Leicester


'It definitely felt like a long couple of months. Obviously it's tough to
not be able to play, do what I love and be able to help my team. So I'm
thrilled to be back, it's great to be back within the team.'


However, our number 10 did admit there is still more work to be done
before he is back at full fitness, although he feels the gradual way he
has been eased back into the action has been important for his successful
return.


'I would say, fitness wise, I'm close to where I want to be. I can still
improve, but that comes with the minutes. I think I've played it quite
smart in the way that I've come back, slowly, not necessarily too much too
soon. It's been really good so I'm happy with the way I feel right now.'


https://i.imgur.com/iTm7BiM.jpg
Working hard at Cobham


Of course, Pulisic isn't the only attacking option Thomas Tuchel has had
to do without recently. Kai Havertz missed the win over Juventus, while
Timo Werner made his own return from injury in that game and Romelu Lukaku
was an unused substitute, his first involvement for over a month.


That has seen Christian leading the line as the central player in our
front three in the victories against Leicester and Juve, rather than his
more familiar supporting role. While he admits it requires something
slightly different from what he is used to, he also insists it is a
pleasure to play anywhere in our attack at the moment.


'I enjoy any attacking role really within this team,' he added. 'On
Tuesday that's where I had to be and I think it's an important role, where
you can also create a lot of space for others. Maybe I wasn't on the ball
as much, but I'm happy with the all-round performance.


https://i.imgur.com/0QtAu6P.jpg
On the attack against Juventus


'I think I can play in a lot of the attacking positions within this team.
With this slightly different role, I'm maybe not on the ball as much as I
usually am or able to use some of my strengths, but I think it's a
position that I can play. You can create a lot of space for your
team-mates and I'm happy to play there.'


One of the players benefitting from that space is Reece James, who scored
his fifth goal of the season against Juventus, and such has been his form
recently that Pulisic sees no end to what he can achieve after making the
right wing-back spot his own over the last month.


'We're all impressed and what he can do on the field is pretty special.
He's got so much ability and so many different ways to help the team, the
sky's definitely the limit for him.


https://i.imgur.com/Fb0wFNw.jpg
Celebrating with James after the wing-back's goal on Tuesday evening


'I think that's what's great about our system, it allows him to attack a
lot, and he was really strong on Tuesday and you could see how much he
helped us in the attack.


'Honestly, the way he's playing now and the way he strikes the ball, I
wouldn't be surprised if he scored double figures this season.'


Pulisic and James will be hoping to continue to impress this Sunday, when
we next take to the pitch at Stamford Bridge against Manchester United in
the Premier League. The Red Devils have had a difficult week, with the
departure of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer meaning caretaker boss Michael
Carrick could be in the dugout again, but Pulisic is in no doubt about the
threat they can carry whatever the situation.


'I think it will be a tough game regardless. Obviously they've been in a
tough situation but regardless of who their coach is we know what ability
they have and what a strong team they are. So it's going to be a tough
match no matter what and we're looking forward to it.'

--


Hoddle: 'Matthew will be sitting up there looking down now and

loving Chelsea being winners. He'll just love Chelsea winning.'


--