Rafael Leao and Santiago Gimenez may take the headlines because of the goals they scored, but Christian Pulisic was the man who took the Player of the Match award.
As MilanNews writes, the term ‘clutch’ in American sports indicates a player who takes the stage in moments of greater pressure and this is precisely the leap that Pulisic has made this season, both compared to last season – which was a record for him – and compared to his career in general.
This season more than ever the boy from Hershey is taking on the role of ‘Captain America’ to save his team. Even yesterday evening against Empoli, he came off the bench at a difficult moment: he wasn’t feeling 100%, Milan had been harmless against Empoli and the three points were obligatory.
Though two of his bits of creativity, Milan got the goals they needed to resolve a tough situation. The first was a perfectly weighted cross to the far post that Leao was on hand to head home, while the second was great hold-up play for Gimenez to score his first for the club.
As mentioned, Pulisic had already put together record numbers for his career last year with 15 goals and nine assists. This season the winger is already in a good position to improve his numbers with 12 total goals and seven assists.
His performance level is very high in Serie A, where he is literally the best in terms of assists: of his 16 total assists, 14 have come in the league where no one since his arrival has managed to do better than him.
As mentioned, however, it is not just a question of numbers but of attitude, mentality and danger. The extra step compared to last year was his performance in the big matches: this year he scored against Inter twice, against Juventus , in the Champions League and beyond.
While Pulisic contribution is acknowledged especially on Leaos goal but Leao did a fantastic job by converting the cross into the net, as for the Gimenez goal, Pulisic my be credited but his contribution is not at par with the goals scored, hence the headline focused on the goals
Puli’s first touch is the best on the team. His control of the ball on Santi’s goal was just the most recent example. Remember the long ball assist from Maignon last year? The assist that followed was outstanding due to control and then being able to lay the ball off before colliding with the Empoli player. beyond that, pure grinta.
“……his contribution is not on par with the goals scored?” What planet are you living on? The goals don’t happen without him.
That guy loves Chukwueze so he will always crap on Pulisic.
As I never tire to say: Pulisic is an intelligent player. It’s something not so common and very important.
So we need to find winger better than Chukwueze. It is such a big shame that Chukwueze can’t find his best game play like he was in Spain.
So Pulisic deputy —> selling of Chukwueze
Tomori deputy —-> selling of Tomori
Kalulu selling. —–> keeping Thiaw, Gabbia, Pavlo
Theo and Kyle deputies—–> Jimenez plus one more player.
Send Terracciano on loan. Bring at least one strong Midfield name such as Ricci.
Sell Ruben Loftus.
Joao Felix could be decent signing for attack and keeping Abraham and Camarda.
So selling Adli, Pobega, Saelemakers (or keeping him) Bennacer, Colombo and Okafor for decent price is essential to bring 1 or 2 strong names in next season and attack for scudetto.
We have the right deputy for Puli, he is just on the wrong team. Saelamakers.
Consider Puli starting and playing 60 to 70. We have a lead. Salad man comes in with his work rate and keeps the side locked down.
Consider a game against Empoli like yesterday. Salad starts and we are better than we are with Musah (whom I rate). Salad is the ideal like-for-like for Puli.
Now consider Puli in the 10. He wasn’t great. This is where Felix could shine if we play the 4231. Puli can slide in if Felix is hurt or needs a rest and … Yep Salad covers the right like4like.
We don’t need another rando. We need only bring back Salad from loan. Knows the team, knows the league, is still growing his game.
we don’t need salad dummies
Dummies? It’s a good idea to solve our deputy for the right wing with a player we already own, saves money and he is the right profile. He is defensively sound with a high work rate. Chukwueze’s skill is scoring goals but it’s hard to do that when you never play and your defending is bad. Saelmaekers will sub in, play good defense, get an occasional goal against a lower club and be happy. With the funds from a Chukwueze sell and money from the cup we can get a proper DM.
Pulisic needs to get more touches in a game. Even when open, they pass up not passing to him.