USMNT: Christian Pulisic has to earn it

USMNT and Chelsea star Christian Pulisic has played just ten minutes of Premier League football since August. While frustrations regarding his lack of opportunity are justified, the 21-year-old must earn his stripes, not simply be handed them.

Ask any vague football fan what the most important element to a young player’s development is and they will likely all tell you the same thing: opportunity. No player learns and grows and improves without playing. It is imperative.

It was for this reason that many U.S. Men’s National Team fans were rather concerned when Christian Pulisic signed for Chelsea last January — and eventually made the move in the summer after a six-month loan stint in Dortmund. Chelsea are not renowned for their youth development, despite their loan army, and there were justified worries that Pulisic would be lost in the crowd.

Now a little over two months in the English season, and those worries have been realised, although not due to Chelsea’s cautious approach to young players but precisely the opposite.

Rather than lose his place to esteemed veterans who are more reliable and consistent but less exciting and with a lower potential, Pulisic has slipped in Frank Lampard’s pecking order as a result of the emergence of other young prospects like Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odio and Tammy Abraham.

Pulisic has played just ten league minutes since August. He has made just one start in that time, which came in the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town, and was left out of the Champions League matchday squad entirely last week. He is unquestionably losing his place.

Lampard fielded questions regarding Pulisic’s stinted game time. He first defended his selection before explaining what the USMNT star must do to reassert himself in the first-team picture at Stamford bridge:

"“He’s level. I spoke to him two days before the Grimsby game and was very clear about the standards and we have to give him the fact that he’s moved country and moved leagues He’s as young as all the young players we keep talking about. He’s just turned 21. So I think if anyone is getting too excited about this they should calm down because he’s started five games for us and what he needs to do is work, work daily, work to show within the group that he deserves to play.”"

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Meanwhile, Pulisic joins up with the USMNT for two matches against Cuba and Canada in the October international break. In the build-up, he reiterated his belief that he is feeling good and is not letting the lack of game time affect him:

"“I feel the best I ever have. I feel very confident in my game. I’m not going to let any of that affect me. I feel very strong, and I’m really looking forward to this game (on) Friday.”"

For Pulisic, though, this should be a concerning trend. While his beautiful assist in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Southampton was a good start, he must continue to earn his place in the Chelsea team. He will not be handed it. This is professional sport, after all. And Chelsea are playing well without him. Hudson-Odio has returned from injury and already has as many assists on the season, while Mount and Abraham have 12 goals between them. Why should Lampard start Pulisic when other options are working well?

Next. USMNT: 3 things to watch for this international break. dark

Pulisic may protest that he is not concerned about his lack of game time. But he should be. This should be his breakthrough season. And it is not shaping up to be. It is time for the USMNT star to start earning his place.

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