USMNT: It is time for Christian Pulisic to take next step

Christian Pulisic said this week that he is fit and ready to return as Chelsea recall their players to training. It is time for the USMNT star to take the next step.

The transition from talented young prospect to bonafide star is an extremely challenging one. Plenty of brilliant youth players have flamed out when they reach the senior game, failing to establish a foothold of playing time at their respective team, eventually reaching their mid-20s without ever having been a regular starter, everyone waiting on them to figure it out.

As a teenager breaking into the first-team set-up, the entire perspective is different. The pressure is off. There is little expectation to perform. Appearances come in lesser competitions, not the amped-up league and European matches that veterans play.

But at some point in a player’s career, they must take the step from prospective talent to reliable first-team starter. And for those who are highly thought of, even being a regular and dependable contributor is not enough to fulfil their potential. They must become match-winners. It is not easy.

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Christian Pulisic has reached this stage in his career. The U.S. Men’s National Team star was always a bright prospect at Borussia Dortmund, breaking into the first team early and consistently looking like one of the higher-ceiling young players at the club. However, then came the rub, Jadon Sancho.

Young prospects often look special because they are big fishes in small ponds. As they rise up the pyramid, the net spreads further and the quality of competition elevates. The cream rise to the top. Sancho was most certainly the cream, as evidenced by his 26 goals and 33 assists across the last two Bundesliga campaigns. Pulisic is not at that level yet.

The USMNT winger, however, made the smart move to Chelsea. Eden Hazard would depart in the summer he arrived. Willian and Pedro are well into their thirties. Game time would not be an issue like being stuck behind Sancho.

Sadly for Pulisic, injury struck. After an encouraging first half-season at Stamford Bridge in which he scored six goals and added six assists, Pulisic’s last appearance came on New Year’s Day thanks to a hip and adductor injury. However, as he revealed this week, he is now raring to return, once football gets underway:

"I’m feeling great. Right before this whole thing happened I was actually back in training and feeling really good and ready to go. It was really unfortunate timing. As soon as I felt like I was back, now this has happened. It is what it is. Now I just have a bit more time to get it completely right and be 100 percent ready once I’m back.”"

Upon his return to Chelsea ahead of a tentative June 8th Premier League restart, Pulisic stands at that crucial crossroads that many young players before him have: the step to become a star.

Chelsea signed Pulisic to replace Hazard, who was a truly world-class winger. The American, while posting positive statistics like second in shot-creating actions, first in touches in the penalty area and first in completed dribbles among the Chelsea squad, all per 90 minutes, has yet to reach that level. He has the talent, undoubtedly, but that has not transitioned into high-level performance and production just yet.

Pulisic will be 22 in September. He has graduated from young prospect. It is time for him to take take the next step and push forward as Chelsea’s leading man. If he can, both he and the USMNT will be hugely improved.