Steve Nicol thinks Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic looks a lot more relaxed when he’s playing for the United States.
Pulisic, who earns £150,000-a-week, is one of several Chelsea players impressing at this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.
The 24-year-old winger scored a crucial winning goal for the United States this week to help beat Iran 1-0, which has set up a last-16 knockout tie against the Netherlands.
It’s not been a great season so far for Pulisic at club level, but he’s looking great on the World Cup stage for his country.
Pulisic more relaxed for United States
ESPN pundit Nicol suggested Pulisic enjoying representing the U.S. a lot more than playing at Stamford Bridge.
“When he plays with the U.S. he’s got this freedom to go and play and try things and if it doesn’t work regardless of what the scoreline is, he’s playing the next game. That’s completely different to at Chelsea, where he’s thinking more ‘if I make a mistake that means I’m not going to play the next game’.” Nicol told ESPN.
There’s definitely pressure on Pulisic whether he’s playing for club or country, but it’s a different kind of pressure.
He’s so often been the talisman for the United States side and manages to raise his levels. It’s something Chelsea teammate Raheem Sterling often does for England, too.
However, the American wide man is one of so many high-profile names in the Chelsea dressing room.
Blues fans that want Pulisic to do well will highlight his form from a couple of years ago when looked electric in the Blues XI during a purple patch of form. The demand is for him to do it week in week out, though.
Keep up to date with all the latest Chelsea news and opinion by following The Chelsea Chronicle’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
