Craig Burley explained how Christian Pulisic could improve his chances of potentially finding a new footballing home away from Chelsea in January.
Speaking on ESPN, Burley insisted that the Blues forward needed to resolve his fitness problems before even considering any future moves.
Pulisic’s Stamford Bridge career has been clouded by repeated trips to the treatment table.
According to Transfermarkt, the 23-year-old’s total missed game time through injury rounds up to 42 matches.
He only recently returned from his latest setback – ankle damage – which lasted a dozen fixtures.
His one start for Chelsea this season arrived on the Premier League’s opening weekend.
Since then, it’s been bandages and plasters for Pulisic.
A subject matter that will certainly detour clubs from possibly signing the American international.
Christian’s injury crisis
Barcelona are reportedly in the market for the attacker, along with Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
But Burley believed Pulisic’s career trajectory completely depended on his ability to remain available for longer than a few weeks.
“Pulisic’s issue, for me, is clear. It’s not a talent issue. This is a fitness issue for him,” said the former Chelsea man.
“Before he starts thinking or anyone else starts thinking where he’s going to go or what he’s going to do, he has to solve this.
“The more injuries you pick up, the more off-putting that is to potential suitors.
“So, he has to solve this fitness issue to start with and get consistency. Once he does that, he can get game time and then he takes it from there.
“But, the most important thing for him is crystal clear, he has to have a six-month period minimum for Thomas Tuchel to select.
“That, over the last couple of years, hasn’t happened.”
Pay-up for Pulisic
Despite his woes, there seems to be no shortage of interested parties for Pulisic.
Alongside Barca, Ex-Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko apparently wants to make the winger one of his first signings as the new Genoa boss.
But the Blues have been down this pathway before with their injury-prone player.
During the earlier stages of Tuchel’s tenure, there were suggestions that Pulisic was seeking an exit from South West London after being overlooked by the manager.
Nothing came from the rumours, yet could the New Year really spell the end of Captain America’s Chelsea stay?
Time will tell.
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