'Thank goodness': Some Chelsea fans relieved after decision made on their 23-year-old last night
A handful of Chelsea supporters on social media were delighted after discovering Christian Pulisic started on the bench for the United States yesterday.
Pulisic began as a substitute for the USMNT’s World Cup qualifier against Jamaica.
He featured for the final 24 minutes, but could only help his side to a 1-1 draw.
This is the fourth consecutive game for club and country the 23-year-old has played a cameo role, as he continues to regain fitness.
The attacker only recently returned from an ankle injury, that had kept him out since August.
Therefore, the reintroduction period must be done gradually.
Chelsea fans certainly echoed this message and were grateful to learn about Pulisic’s refined role last night.
Here’s how they reacted on Twitter to their winger being benched:
Thank goodness, he’s coming back injury free 😭
— CFC_NYC (@NycCfc) November 16, 2021
Good, last game against Jamaica they spent most of it trying to injure Paul Arriola
— Skye⭐⭐ (@ChelseaFCSkye) November 16, 2021
good news
— Faithysunny 💙⭐️⭐️ (@Faithysunny) November 16, 2021
LETS GOOOOOOO
— Jorge Luiz Frello Filho 🇲🇹 (@timmygalea_) November 16, 2021
Alhamdulillah he might come back with no injury pic.twitter.com/RUgWjllziQ
— ` (@CFCPrix) November 16, 2021
Pulisic on the mend
Understandably, Pulisic’s health is being treated with the utmost caution.
After such a long layoff, the body needs time to recover.
Especially one as fragile as the USA forward.
The approach of both Chelsea and his national team has been wise.
His minutes have been managed extremely carefully but progressively.
In the last four matches, Pulisic has played 16 minutes, five minutes, 21 minutes and then 24 minutes.
Care for Christian
Obviously, the next big step will be to start the former Borussia Dortmund man from the get-go.
Could Saturday’s Premier League fixture away to Leicester City be just the place to start (literally and figuratively)?
Thomas Tuchel may take the guarded method and use the player reactively rather than proactively.
Pulisic’s day will come, yet he may just have to be patient for now.