Scout Report: Christian Pulisic, Chelsea's 'next Hazard' destined to shine in PL

Welcome to All Football Scouting Report, in here we will take you a closer look at world's promising stars. How good is Chelsea's €64m new boy Christian Pulisic? Will the USA starlet become next Hazard?

Chelsea have wasted no time in dipping their toes into the January transfer window and have already completed a deal for Borussia Dortmund winger Christian Pulisic. He becomes the most expensive American player in history, with Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia stating her delight to have signed “one of Europe’s most sought-after young players”. So how good is he?

Who is Pulisic 

Born in Hershey, Pennsylvania on 18th September 1998, Pulisic learned the tricks of the trade at the US Soccer Development Academy Club PA Classics between 2008 and 2015. The youngster was always destined for greater things even at a very young age and it did not come as a surprise to many when he was invited to train with his local club Harrisburg City Islanders as a teenager.

However, for the player to truly achieve his potential, it was necessary that he move to a better league with a proven track record of developing youngsters. That opportunity came in 2015 when German heavyweights, Dortmund, decided to sign the then 16-year-old. He was immediately assigned to the side’s U-17 team and made an instant impact.

(The American had an instant impact in Dortmund’s U-17 side)

He scored 10 goals and assisted another eight for the club’s youth sides and with Thomas Tuchel and co. always willing to bring in new blood, he was called up to the senior Dortmund squad during the winter break of the 2015-16 season.

The attacking midfielder/winger made his Bundesliga debut on 30th January 2016 when he came on to replace Adrian Ramos against FC Ingolstadt.

“I’m not a prodigy or a wonderboy”

“I’m not a prodigy — or a “wonderboy,” as some have put it. I was always, you know, a decent player growing up. And yes, I was born with a certain amount of so-called “natural ability.” But I also worked and sacrificed a lot to try to maximize what I was born with — which I think is important to point out.”

He said, in an article he penned on The Player’s Tribune in November following the USA’s failed efforts to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.

STYLE

The above quote outlines the mentality of a simply phenomenal young player, and it’s that mentality that impresses upon a view most of all – Pulisic doesn’t give up a single chance to drive towards goal. 

(Pulisic made an awesome dribble against Real Madrid in Champions League)

The one aspect of his game that catches the eye is his speed on the ball. Pulisic is not afraid to take on his man and beat him with his pace and skill on the ball. He has showcased great close control and a low centre of gravity allows him to create space for himself even with numerous defenders closing in.

(Pulisic nutmeg on Robben)

A drive, a determination, an uncanny blitzkrieg of fire and pace. Pulisic’s evolution – from a direct, goal-hungry winger to someone who can play both wings and in the space behind the striker could become the key to his success.

The 20-year-old primarily operates as a central attacking midfielder. However, he is capable of operating on either of the wings as well as a playmaker when presented with an opportunity.

STRENGTHS

Blessed with a burst of pace and a quick dribbling technique, Pulisic’s main strength comes in the way he’s able to use space. 

Less concentrated on close control and more on speeding past a man, the American unnerves defenders with his ability to get close and seemingly glide past them. 

(Pulisic came off the bench to single-handedly manufacture a late tying goal in Dortmund’s 2-2 draw with UCL defending champion Real Madrid in 2016)

His dribbling numbers are immense despite his lack of close control – 2.02 successful dribbles per game.

(Christian Pulisic completed 164 dribbles in Bundesliga play since his debut on January 30, 2016, the most of any player in that span)

There’s also the fact that he passes early, and is seemingly involved in everything Dortmund does last season. 

He loves getting into goalscoring positions, and his work ethic is belied by his rugged class on the counter-attack. He averaged over 10.2 kilometres per game in the Bundesliga last season and values speed on the ball and directness on the attack to trickery or flair.

(Counterattack against Bayern)

WEAKNESSES

As mentioned above, his decision-making needs work, he’s been described as rash and too direct at times.

There’s also the question of his age, and whether he’d be able to adapt quickly to the Premier League – a trope that gets bandied about every time Chelsea sign a foreign player. At 20 he’s able to hold his own in the challenge and has the dogged tenacity to not lose the ball easily, so he’d likely be alright.

The fact of the matter is he’s still young, and despite being lumbered with the responsibility of both club and country, he doesn’t seem to be missing a beat.

What next for Pulisic 

The €64m deal won't kick in for fans in west London until the summer as Pulisic will spend the remainder of this season on loan with Borussia Dortmund, but supporters should be confident that their third most expensive signing ever can fill the boots of Eden Hazard next season if Belgian leave the club.

Pulisic's move next season is unlikely to come with the same amount of pressure that would usually be attributed to big-money signings either, as fans know all too well that the young forward will need time to adapt to life in the Premier League.

But Pulisic isn't going to be fazed by Chelsea's star-studded squad, and having spent the majority of his career so far carrying the hopes of an entire country on his shoulders, the winger will be chomping at the bit to succeed Hazard as the superstar player in west London.

Christian Pulisic - Crazy Skills, Goals & Assists