As his first week as a Chelsea player draws to a close, Christian Pulisic has explained the effect he hopes to have on the team, stressed he wants to be viewed on his own performances, and said how enjoyable it has been working with Frank Lampard.
The American met up with his new team-mates in Japan on Monday after enjoying a week off following the conclusion of the USA’s Gold Cup campaign. He quickly settled into the groove and by Friday evening was back in match action appearing in a Chelsea shirt for the first time during our game against Kawasaki Frontale.
The attacking midfielder said it felt great to get out there in his new club colours and he is determined to be of benefit to the Blues from the off.
‘Right now it’s just about going in and helping the team any way I can,’ Pulisic stated.
‘It’s bringing intensity into the training first of all, improving and earning my respects at the beginning. Then I obviously want to help out as much as I can on the pitch. I want to come in right away and give energy to the team, whether that’s being part of the starting team or being given minutes.
‘There is so much success and history here and it’s a huge honour to be part of this club.’
Pulisic was signed in January but returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan for the second half of last season, and so can be considered our major new arrival of the summer. The biggest departure was of course Eden Hazard who left for Real Madrid after seven years at Chelsea, and Pulisic insists he does not want to be simply seen as a replacement for the Belgian.
‘I’m not here to compare. Eden was amazing and did so well for this club. He was an incredible player the whole time he was at Chelsea. For me it’s about coming in as my own player, improving myself and doing the best I can to help this team.’
He will be learning from Lampard, who certainly knows a thing or two about being an effective attacking midfielder in the Premier League, as well as his new team-mates who have experience of English football.
‘I watched him [Lampard] of course, and it’s great to have him here helping us. He was a great leader as a player and now he’s here as the coach and he’s giving us really important information. It’s great to have him on this side.
‘There are top players at this club. I knew that coming in here and it’s only going to make me better; it’s going to improve my game working every day with these guys and I am excited for the challenge.’
READ: PULISIC DISCUSSES NEW NIKE MERCURIAL BOOTS IN TOKYO