Christian Pulisic Delivers Verdict On Relationship With Thomas Tuchel, Raheem Sterling's Chelsea Arrival And Club's New Owners

Christian Pulisic has opened up on his long-standing relationship with Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel, as well as Raheem Sterling’s arrival and the club’s new owners. 

The 23-year-old is currently touring his homeland, America, as the Blues travel across the United States on their pre-season tour. 

Pulisic will be keen to build his fitness and produce performances that stake a claim in a bid to convince head coach Tuchel that he deserves a spot in the Chelsea starting XI for their opening Premier League match of the 2022/23 season against Everton on 6 August. 

The USMNT star featured 38 times for the Blues last season after missing the early stages of the campaign due to Covid-19 and injury. 

He returned eight goals and five assists in all competitions and came under fire from Tuchel for his wasteful finishing at the end of the campaign. 

Tuchel is a figure who gave Pulisic his chance during their days at Borussia Dortmund, and now their time together has extended following the German’s appointment in west London. 

Pulisic is itching for more game and reflected on the relationship he has with the 48-year-old and is ready to continue to prove himself to become a regular in the side.

He told ESPN: “I started as a young 17-year-old kid who just needed to earn his spot in professional soccer, in the sport, being American over in Germany it was very tough for me at the start. But he definitely gave me my opportunity and clearly saw something in me, so I was really grateful for that. 

“Then we had some good moments together, some tougher moments also. 

“Now being at Chelsea and him coming back, he’s grown as a coach and I’ve definitely grown as a player. 

“Now it’s about trying to find that relationship. I’ve had some moments, some tougher moments, and I’m continuing to have to prove myself and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

Pulisic’s relationship with the boss has come under question during times last season and the winger believes the Chelsea head coach could still view him as a youngster, something he wants to avoid.

He added: “Could be. I guess you’d have to ask him. That’s not who I am anymore. He knows I’ve grown a lot as a player, there’s no doubt. I have grown a lot, that’s not how I want him to view me, I want him to view me as the player I am now. I’m just going to continue improving which I feel I have, and showing him why I deserve to be on the field as much as I can.”

Pulisic will face more competition in his hope of being selected on a regular basis following the arrival of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City this summer. But the 23-year-old is relishing the chance to play and compete with the England international, insisting it’s what you sign up for when you join Chelsea.

On Raheem Sterling’s arrival and how it impacts his role at Chelsea, he continued: “Great quality. We’re really excited about it. 

“The beautiful thing about being at a club like this is the competition every single day. We all thrive competing with each other in training and getting to play with each other is just another great addition to the team. 

“It doesn’t change (my role) a whole lot, I’m still going to have to play hard and earn my position, just like I did before, nothing crazy has changed. This is Chelsea, this is what you signed up for, this is the kind of club it is with the calibre of players that we have.”

Sterling was joined by Kalidou Koulibaly this week as the club’s new owners started to back Thomas Tuchel in the transfer market.

It’s a sign of what is to come in west London and Pulisic was full of praise for the new owners, many of whom are also American.

“They’ve come in and done a really good job, in the way that they've spoken with the players and staff, just wanting to use that same Chelsea mentality, that winning mentality,” Pulisic said. 

“But also bringing their American ways, their business ways and how they incorporate that into this team. On a day-to-day and the way we train and play, it doesn’t change a whole lot but I think they’ve done a great job so far and I think the guys are really enjoying it so far.