DanP2311

He is a competitor. He will compete. He now knows that he is likely to be used differently than he was under Lampard, so we shall see how the competition for playing time goes. I think he loves Chelsea FC and wants to secure his place there. But I also think he sees himself as a starter, and probably has trouble understanding why Werner gets so many more minutes and chances than he gets. So the way he feels about his future at Chelsea FC in the summer of 2022 may be different than the way he feels now. I am optimistic that TT will find a way to use Pulisic's talents. But if not, sometimes the needs of a club and the needs of player diverge.

He is not participating in Gold Cup. He is resting and recuperating, getting ready to compete for playing time (as he said recently in response to a reporter's question).

Typical CONCACAF match, complete with projectiles raining down on the pitch, horrible refereeing, flops galore, and no flow. The referee pool is 90% people from leagues that are called very differently than most of the American and Canadian teams are used to. So they have to adjust to playing with constant stoppages for various forms of drama. And because of the off the pitch history of the Mexico-US rivalry (Google “Landon Donovan bags of piss”) there is real hatred between the clubs and fan bases. Long time USMNT fans loved to see Pulisic choose to celebrate in front of the Mexican fans. A LOT of water under the bridge there. The sub Reddit for this match was hilarious. One of my favorite entries — “Come for the projectiles, stay for the obligatory Mexican choking McKennie.”

Marijuana, oil wells and Saddam Hussein on this thread? Both coaches playing cagey with the lineups, prioritizing their next encounter. Interesting.

My 2 cents. Kante is peaking at the right time. Mendy inspires so much confidence. Havertz still up and own but I like him at the false 9. Pulisic looks like a confident thoroughbred in attack lately. Back line seems so solid. City also sharp right now. I think we need 60+ min of Pulisic to beat them, because he just creates chances and is more composed in the attack. But we shall see ...

Glad to see Havertz start. Literally can’t think of a single thing that Werner gives us that Pulisic doesn’t give us more of. But whatever.

I sure hope Pulisic sees this. When you try to remember his highlight reel, who are the opponents in those matches? It is not a coincidence that he shows up best and biggest under the brightest lights and one facing the biggest challenges. Somebody get this quote to him as soon as possible.

I’d like to see Pulisic be more selfish on those breakaways

I would feel better if Kova was playing. Ditto Havertz. But if this a 3-5-2 I get the logic if he wants to mainly counter. But the buildup prospects don’t look great with this lineup.

He is mansplaining to them

Puli plays his best against the big clubs. Don’t give up hope.

Sure, assisting two WBA goals is worse than usual, but what does Mr Backpass ever bring to the table that puts him ahead of other midfield options. Anyone scouting Chelsea could miss how poorly and risking we played out of the back today.

How does this ref get selected?

And get pulled when he converts. These are all information data points about TT.

Perhaps, but that doesn’t explain the distribution of opportunities between Werner and CP under TT. I suspect CP and his agent are learning. Hopefully the club won’t warehouse him, and will want to extract some value from him. He is young and deserves a manager who will give him a fair shot.

When I saw TT’s half hearted celebration of the Pulisic goal, I kind of had a feeling…

He needs to find a new environment in the summer. Maybe all would be happier if that were the case.

If he has decided that he prefers Werner in attack when it’s either/or, and squeezes Pulisic in to other spots whenever he can, I don’t expect that to last into next season.

Agree that one can’t judge Pulisic vs Werner until Pulisic gets the same look (minutes, games) Werner has gotten.

Agree he needs to be sold. But I doubt he is injured.

So much better spacing in attack. Not converting enough, but a much better looking attack with this lineup.

Hate to say it because he is the preeminent offensive threat, and he tracks back better than the other wings, but playing Pulisic 2 days from now is not smart.

When players don’t have complementary roles and look out of sync, manager blame effort.

I don’t get the impression the players like one another very much.

Agree that this Arsenal lineup is sad. With Jorginho on the bench I expect a better looking offense, especially if the midfielders can stay out of the box and be available for those second balls.