Christian Pulisic has claimed that he cannot wait to meet the new AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri, and reflected on a difficult season.
Pulisic has not to participate in the Gold Cup with the USA this summer to rest properly and arrive in the right way to the season that will lead to the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the United States.
The winger made 50 appearances across all competitions, racking up 17 goals and 12 assists and being a contender for the player of the season. The other contender Tijjani Reijnders has left for Manchester City, so the American now has extra responsibility to produced.
Pulisic speaks to American media
Pulisic was interviewed by CBS Sports Golazo America – after he did an interview with Serie A a few days ago – and spoke about several topics from the national team to life in Italy. MilanNews relayed his comments.
How do you explain this ability of yours to take on more and more responsibilities?
“Even from my last days at Chelsea I felt confident and ready for what my next step would be. I came to a club that showed me a lot of faith and I felt good from the start. I feel like I’m growing in confidence and in all aspects of my game, and that’s brought me to where I am today.”
How difficult was it for you to experience a season so full of ups and downs for the team but which saw you stand out for the number of goals and assists?
“Mentally and physically it’s always tough. With the number of games we play and also what happened this year at Milan… I think it’s hard for people on the outside to understand. There’s a lot of pressure on us, especially at a club like Milan when things aren’t going the way they should.
“We’re expected to win: games, trophies and when things aren’t going exactly the way you expect it can be difficult, but I’m grateful to be in this position.
“Playing for a club like Milan makes me even more eager to get the team back to where it should be. A bit of everything has happened this year but I’m ready and optimistic for the future.”
In the US everyone is wondering why you won’t be with the national team this summer after a season in which you did so well…
“I’m sorry I’m not with the team, I always want to be available. But towards the end of the season my body started talking to me… And then I asked myself: ‘What would be the best thing for me to do to best approach next year, which will end with the World Cup in the USA?’.
“Playing more games and then going straight into the preseason and making a push until the World Cup is not the best option for my body, I think. I would have liked to be there at least for the two friendlies but the national team coaches told me they wanted a single group for friendlies and the Gold Cup.
“I respect their decision 100%, although I don’t fully understand it. But that’s how it went and I had to make the best decision for myself and, in the long run, also for my team. Even if some [a reference is to Landon Donovan, who harshly criticised him] don’t see it that way.”
After all the negative comments that have come after this decision, do you regret it or do you still think it is the best choice?
“I don’t regret my decision, I think it’s the best decision for how I feel now. I’m back training this week and I can’t wait, I want to work on myself and I know that this will put me in the best possible position when next season comes around.”
How do you feel now?
“I feel great, I’ll be in great shape when next season starts. You’ll see how much I want to do, more than ever.”
When you’re on vacation like now, do you completely disconnect from football or do you continue to watch some matches?
“Obviously physically I’m ‘on break’, but mentally I’m here. I’m the first fan of the national team, I always watch my teammates’ games with the USA.”
At Milan you will meet a new coach, Massimiliano Allegri, who has already coached Juventus. Have any of your teammates in the national team spoken to you about him?
“I spoke to Weston [McKennie] recently and he only told me positive things. He told me he’s a fun person, he loves to joke, a hot-blooded guy… I said to him: ‘Like all Italians, right?’ (laughs). I can’t wait to meet him and the staff, I think he’s the right choice.”
Can you tell us about your proudest jersey swap?
“When I was at Chelsea and we played against Real Madrid at the end of the game I spoke to Kovacic. You know, I have Croatian roots on my grandfather’s side and all my cousins, to give you an idea, named their dog ‘Luka’ for Luka Modric!
“He is an idol in my family. I told Kovacic that I really wanted his shirt, also for my family. A legendary player.”
And they say you’ll play with him…
“I saw something about that… Crazy.”
Musah seems to be on the verge of leaving Milan, with things not working out for him at the Rossoneri…
“It’s been a pleasure to be in the dressing room with Yunus every day at Milan. He’s a guy who works really hard every day to be at his best. I’ve been in this situation in the past, where it seems like you give it your all, you work hard but the results on the pitch don’t come.
“He hasn’t had this consistency of performance but I keep telling him that he’ll come and he has to keep working. I have no doubt that he’ll have a successful career. We know what he can do, we’ve seen great performances from him.
“When he finds this consistency and this trust from a club where he can play regularly… He’s an incredible player, I’m not worried about him. He just has to keep working like he’s already doing.
“I’ve been through the same thing in the past: I worked really hard but I couldn’t score and be consistent. But then something changes and it will be the same for him.”
This is PR. He’s saying all the right things. The question is whether he’s really buying into what Milan is doing?
I’m not too concerned about him wanting to leave. Who wouldn’t want to play w Modric? And Milan is offloading a few malcontents and distractions. Pulisic will be an OG instead of the American newcomer. I believes he sees the coming season as an opportunity he’s never had before.
Good question. I’ve been saying to look at when and if he sign the contract extension.
No PR here. Just facts. Puli is a true professional, unlike some of our soon-to-be gone primadonnas.
This.
For me the surprising thing was that he had yet to speak with Max. Postponing the signing of his new deal to get a better sense of the project, it would seem speaking with the new coach would be a high priority. You would think the same would be true for Max, wanting to keep Puli at Milan and building with him strongly in mind. He sounds like a player who will relish being a part of the rebuild.