Borussia Dortmund took little time to make one of the biggest transfers of the winter market just hours after it opened. They did so by selling Christian Pulisic to Chelsea this past Wednesday. Chelsea paid Dortmund a stunning £58 million transfer fee for the American midfielder ($73.1 million). His hefty price tag makes him the biggest transfer for a U.S player since John Brooks joined Wolfsburg in 2017.
The English club will send Pulisic back on loan to Dortmund for the remainder of the 2018/2019 season as he will start to play for “The Blues” next season. Despite being one of the most sought-after players in today’s soccer world, this is much more than just a wonderkid signing.
Dare To Dortmund
Pulisic was signed to Borussia’s youth squad at just 16 years of age. He started at the U-17 team and moved to the U-19 team shortly after. After scoring 10 times and assisting their teammates more than a handful of times, the German team decided he was ready to play with “the big boys”.
The men in charge were not wrong as Pulisic showed what he was capable of doing with the first team. The now 19 year old has made a total of 81 appearances for the club, finding the back of the net 10 times and handing 14 assists. Numbers aside, he also proved to be a valuable weapon coming off the bench.
The Move To Chelsea
After quick success at Germany and being sought after by teams like Liverpool and Arsenal. Pulisic shocked the transfer market by making the move to Chelsea. The move is made, but how will he affect the London XI with his arrival?
Pulisic is a perfect fit for Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea. Sarrismo, as it known, relies on short, quick passes, focusing on offense and ball retention. The Italian manager opts for collective pressure while keeping the defensive line organized on defense. The Pennsylvania native could do wonders under his system as he has the speed and touch to keep up with the pace of play.
His arrival at London seems even more fitting now. Midfielder Cesc Fabregas could leave Chelsea for Monaco. Thus, opening a spot in the starting lineup for him. Not only that, but he could also prove useful playing as a winger if Eden Hazard swaps his blue jersey for a white one moving to Real Madrid.
Reviving The Rivalry
The 20 year old midfielder will not only make an impact at Chelsea. He will also play an even bigger part in on the U.S v Mexico rivalry at an international level. Pride will run high at international matches for American fans given the magnitude of the move. This could also turn into a snowball effect as Mexico’s Hirving Lozano could follow his steps to England.
Soccer’s Moon Landing
It is no secret that Major League Soccer and American players have always fell short against their European counterparts. This is more than evident each and every year as teams like Arsenal, Real Madrid and Juventus defeat the MLS All-Stars on home soil. U.S soccer players have a history of failing in European football as well. Ricardo Clark, Josh Wolff and goalkeeper Tony Meola are just a few examples of those who failed. Things are different for Pulisic.
He has developed his game completely outside The States. Just like the great Brazilian and Argentinian prospects would do. He has shattered records playing more games in Europe than Clark, Wolff and Meola combined. Add to that the fact, not only was he already playing for a big club in Germany, but he will now play for an even bigger club in England. Das American, as he has been called, has become much more than a mere player from the States. He is more than a generational talent as well. Christian Pulisic is America’s moon landing into the world soccer universe
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.