Olivier Giroud believes that Christian Pulisic deserves to lift silverware with AC Milan, and also lifted the lid on what changed after the winger left Chelsea.
Pulisic illuminated the derby between Milan and Inter on Sunday night with his early goal, and it was his second in consecutive big games after he had also opened the scoring inside 10 minutes against Liverpool a few nights prior.
In his first season at Milan he scored 15 goals (he hit 11 with the Blues four years earlier, his best tally), to which 11 assists were added. He contributed to 26 percent of the team’s goals for the season, showing his importance.
Giroud was a team-mate of Pulisic’s at both Chelsea and Milan, and he spoke to CBS Sports about why he thinks the USA international has kicked on so much since he swapped England for Italy and how he has become a talisman for the Diavolo.
“I think he has got more trust in his game, more confidence. He plays with more freedom and he’s playing every single game. He’s a very important player for Milan. At Chelsea he was in competition with so many wingers,” he said.
“He has settled in really well at Milan, he loves the club and the city. I think he can do a great season this year. He deserves to win a trophy with this massive club.
“I’m not surprised that he is doing well because last year he really had a good season and surprised me the way that he adapted to Serie A. I spoke to him and congratulated him on a great goal [in Milan’s derby win over Inter]. There is more to come.”
Thanks Olivier!!❤️🖤
I recall that Oli was also instrumental in convincing Puli to come to Milan.
He is the best player on this team. But do you know who doesn’t think this? The other players. Pulisic has 4 goals on 8 shots. Leao has one goal on 17 shots. Yesterday Tammy led the break with Pulisic and Leao on the wings…both open but Pulisic probably with the most space. The pass went to Leao. Who to his credit put a powerful shot on goal. But ultimately a wasted opportunity. When will the players start to feed Pulisic like they feed Leao. At some point it is on these players to start rewarding the man who is busting his ass for this team AND the better player.
Unfortunately, this is a very accurate assessment. Simple pass to Pulisic would have almost certainly resulted in a goal. Maybe the players are just conditioned to pass to Leao?
“There’s more to come.” is music to my ears.
What happened was a talented young player got lured to tue most toxic sh!thousery club in the world and what happens to lost players happened to him. He then went to a proper club and thrived.
Our best player this season by a stretch.