‘Don’t think he looks comfortable’: ESPN pundit says 23-year-old Chelsea player struggles in one position

Add as preferred source on Google

ESPN pundit Craig Burley reckons that Chelsea attacker Christian Pulisic struggles playing in the centre-forward position.

Pulisic, 23, is an extremely talented youngster that’s thrived as a conventional winger in the past. Also, he’s found success in a creative role number 10 role within Thomas Tuchel’s system at Stamford Bridge.

However, the American started as the central striker in Thursday’s 1-1 Premier League draw against Everton.

In fairness, the central role in the Blues system allows for the attacker to be fluent and to link play, but he did struggle at times trying to get into the game.

Burley is convinced that Pulisic is uncomfortable playing as the leading attacker, something which is usually done by either Kai Havertz or Romelu Lukaku. Incidentally, Havertz is back available for Chelsea on Sunday when they travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league.

“I didn’t like Pulisic in that role. I don’t think it suits him with his back to play in that position. I just don’t think he looks comfortable,” Burley told ESPN.

Pulisic still with point to prove at Chelsea

Pulisic’s played through the middle on a few occasions this season, but it’s obviously not his preferred role. Likewise, he’s done a job at times filling in as an emergency wing-back.

It’s been difficult for him to get any real momentum this campaign and he looks a long way off forcing himself into Tuchel’s best starting XI.

He’s got 19 goals and 15 assists in 88 Chelsea appearances. For him, he should be a little disappointed because he’s got the potential to deliver much better statistics when you consider his pace, directness and skill.

Pulisic, like so many of the Chelsea attackers, still has a big point to prove that he can consistently make an impact.

Keep up to date with all the latest Chelsea news and opinion by following The Chelsea Chronicle’s Twitter account here.