‘Got no sympathy’: ESPN pundit says £58m Chelsea player needs to stop complaining and get on with his job

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Don Hutchinson said Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic should simply accept being used in a variety of roles by Thomas Tuchel.

Speaking on ESPN, Hutchinson disputed the American’s recent interview where he seemed to complain about being played out of position.

“It is tough,” the 23-year-old told reporters recently.

“I haven’t always been playing in the positions I want to play in.”

Chopping and changing Christian

Pulisic has been moved around like a chess piece ever since Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard last January.

From one game to the next, the USMNT captain is never quite sure where he will be deployed on the field.

In the absence of Romelu Lukaku, he has featured as a ‘false nine’ or solo striker this season, with varying degrees of success.

He played a full 90 minutes at wing-back – not for the first time – against Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this month.

Arguably, the player offers most when arranged on the right or left of a front three.

Pulisic needs to pull up his socks

Hutchinson felt Pulisic should just be happy to get game time at all, no matter what Tuchel asks of him.

“Where I’ve got no sympathy for Christian, when you play for the biggest of clubs and you’re in the spotlight, you can’t pick and choose your position,” said the former Everton midfielder.

“You’ve got to knuckle down. If the manager wants you to play out of position, and it’s the only position you’re going to get yourself in the starting 11, then deal with it.

“If he wants you to play on the right-hand side and that’s the only spot available, learn how to play it.

“If you want to play as a number ten, again learn how to play it. Off the left, the same.”

Something is still missing

Hutchinson has a point that Pulisic cannot be picky at this moment in time.

The £58m (BBC) signing from Borussia Dortmund is not a guaranteed starter under Tuchel, therefore he must grab any opportunity when it arises.

He started six successive Premier League games between the middle of December and January, yet only scored once in that run.

Even if Pulisic is asked to don the goalkeeping gloves, he cannot afford to let any more chances slip through his fingertips.

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