16 June 2023 , 13:11
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Chelsea outcast Christian Pulisic has fired a reminder to incoming coach Mauricio Pochettino by notching twice for the United States in a chaotic win over Mexico.
The former Borussia Dortmund attacker featured for just 813 minutes in the Premier League last term for the Blues during a tumultuous campaign and could be set to exit Stamford Bridge this summer. Despite his lack of club football, the 24-year-old looked back to his energetic best as he inspired his country to a 3-0 win in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals.
The encounter at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was embroiled in controversy both on and off the pitch, with two dismissals for both teams after a brawl sparked by a rash challenge on USMNT debutant Folarin Balogun. Sergino Dest and Weston McKennie were sent off before the game was ended a few minutes early in added time due to homophobic chanting from the crowd.
Despite the chaos around him, the man supporters have dubbed 'Captain America' made a major impact on proceedings, with his deft left-footed drive into the bottom corner putting the US into the lead in the 37th minute. Pulisic would follow up his opener just after half time, showing his lighting pace to get on the end of a cross to score at the back post.
The virtuoso display sent the USMNT into the Concacaf Nations League final, with young striker Ricardo Pepi also getting in on the act to round things off with the USA's third. They will now face Canada in the showpiece on June 19.
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The man of the match performance will not have gone unnoticed in Turin either, with Italian giants Juventus weighing up a move for the forward, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Old Lady sporting director Giovanni Manna has previously travelled to London to discuss a possible deal for the US marksman, it is claimed, with the race for his signature hotting up amid rival interest from Napoli and AC Milan.
With Chelsea currently lacking options in the centre forward position, it could well be that a prospective switch may also involve hotshot Serbian attacker Dusan Vlahovic possibly going the other way, as per GOAL. The USMNT talisman is currently valued at as little as £20 million ($26 million) by the West London outfit, with the player entering the final year of his current contract.
Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus FC celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Juventus at Gewiss Stadium on May 7, 2023 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images) (Getty Images)As such, a parting of ways could well be inevitable this summer, especially given Pulisic's lack of minutes last term. Speaking to ESPN, the American international previously said that he is focusing on his national team for now, despite his recent woes at club level, saying: "It's been a really tough season for me personally and for our team of course at a club level.
"Obviously, it's been an interesting journey at club level for me. I thought it was a great couple years and the last couple years just haven't gone at all how I've planned them to be.
"Right now my focus is obviously here with the national team. I'm just excited to get back playing and just enjoy myself and do what I love to do out on the field. And from there, this summer, we're obviously going to have to see what happens."