Christian Pulisic: The New Captain America 🇺🇸

By: Social Mike | Jan 6, 2019

While fireworks are usually saved for New Years Day, the 2019 soccer year kicked off with major fireworks on the 2nd calendar day. News broke early of a record-setting transfer fee for an American player, which also made it the clubs 3rd most expensive signing ever, at $73.1M That club who made the transfer is none other than Chelsea FC … and the footballer is American superstar Cristian Pulisic. January 2nd, 2019 will mark the day that forever changed US Soccer. One if its own home-grown talents not only signs to one of the most prestigious clubs in Europe, at $73M making Pulisic the most expensive American transfer ever. The kid from Hershey, PA is on his way to Stamford Bridge this summer ready to take on his newest challenge, at only 20 years old. Pulisic already has 23 international appearances for the USMNT, Captain America is finally fulfilling the dream move to the English Premier League.“I do believe getting to the American market had something to do with the move, but it’s not why Chelsea shelled out $73M.“

Quick Shots:

The Deal: Chelsea FC will pay Borussia Dortmund $73.1M (£58m) to acquire Christian Pilisic.

The amount of money Chelsea dished out isn’t what you’d spend on a player that you want coming off the bench, so the pressure of Pulisic to live up to the bill (literally).
With 115 first-team appearances for BVB, scoring 15 times while adding 24 assists for the current Bundesliga leaders, Pulisic has plenty of experience under his belt that he will bring with him to London.
Chelsea made the move now instead of waiting for the summer to avoid getting into a bidding war with any other club that was interested in having the Americans services.
One person that isn’t getting credit for Cristian Pulisic is Jürguen Klinsmann, as Klinsmann added the 17-year old Pulisic to the USMNT roster on Mar 27, 2016, against Guatemala.

My Take:

I love the Pulisic move to the EPL, while a lot of the chatter has been that Chelsea made this move to win over the American market. I do believe getting closer to the American market had something to do with the move, but it’s not why Chelsea shelled out $73M. Both of their current wingers, Willian and Pedro, are in their 30’s. By taking Pulisic under their wing, this possibly pushes one of their current wingers to the bench, so $73M is a hefty price tag for a publicity stunt. The Premier League should help with Pulisic’s development and further sharpen his skills, as he brings quite the impressive bag of skills with him already. Chelsea needs to have the patience with his development as Dortmund did, but also be willing to give him the playing time when he’s up to speed with the club. All in all, the American market and the EPL will benefit by adding a player like Pulisic. Like all of you at this point, I am just excited to see him in action.

Not only do I think this move is great for Pulisic, but also great for US Soccer as the move will now open doors for a lot more young American talent that is already in Europe or for any other clubs that are now willing to take a chance on a young American. This move paves the way for the youth American talents that have drawn attention to European clubs or are already in Europe looking to make a bigger leap ala Pulisic. Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig) and Zack Steffen (Manchester City) are on their way to top European clubs. Then there are those already in Europe such as Bundesliga duo Weston McKennie at Schalke and the promising Werder Bremen striker Josh Sargent, and Timothy Weah at PSG to name but a few. The future is looking bright for American soccer as they look to qualify for the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar.