Christian Pulisic has revealed that Chelsea ‘still have a lot of work to do’ after their pre-season defeat to Charlotte FC.
The American international, who played in front of his home crowd, scored for the Blues in the first half, before a late goal from Daniel Rios sent the match to a penalty shootout.
Chelsea soon lost the game via spot-kicks, therefore inflicting the first defeat of their pre-season tour across the United States.
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It was only the second game of their summer schedule as the new season fast approaches, with matches against Arsenal and Udinese still to come for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Although Chelsea opted to play different sides in each half of the game, Pulisic believes there is still work to be done as they prepare for the new campaign.
Speaking to FC Series after the loss, he said: “We still have a lot of work to do. We are going to continue to push, obviously today we didn’t come out with the win like we’d liked.
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"But we are still getting used to each other, a couple games in. I think we are going to be feeling strong once the season starts."
The 23-year-old was also asked about what it was like to score against an MLS club, despite him not playing the top tier of American football.
Pulisic added: “I don’t know about bittersweet, it felt pretty good. Obviously it’s an honour to be back in the States and playing in front of my home country so I’m just enjoying it.”
He ended with his prediction for the upcoming season, as Chelsea aim to compete on various fronts once again.
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“We’re going to push to be right at the top of the table. That’s our goal and we are going to take it one game at a time.”
Despite the loss, Chelsea fans were able to see Raheem Sterling in action for the first time since his arrival from Manchester City this summer.
The 27-year-old came on as a substitute in the second half of the match, and Tuchel was complimentary of one of his club’s new signings.
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He said: “I saw four accelerations in the second half I think and they all came from Raheem.
“There is not need for major doubts or criticism, but it's never important what the manager has in his head ahead of pre-season.”
Kalidou Koulibaly is still yet to play for his new side, but he only completed his transfer last week.
Jules Kounde could soon be their third signing of the summer as he prepares to leave Sevilla after a fee of around £55 million was accepted.
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Chelsea will next travel to Orlando to face Premier League rivals Arsenal, before returning to the UK and travelling to Italy to face Udinese in their final pre-season friendly of the summer.
Topics: Christian Pulisic, Chelsea
Robert Calcutt