Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic was an unused substitute against Liverpool yesterday. The 21-year-old has not played a single minute since the international break.
Manager Frank Lampard opted to start Willian and Mason Mount, who had been touch and go to start the game due to an ankle injury. Some supporters on Twitter have been asking why the American international hasn’t featured more prominently:
Should have started him ??
— BLUE? (@cruiz_7) 22 September 2019
Experience favors Pulisic.
Pulisic played at a top club in Germany. Mount played in the second division and had an ankle injury on Wednesday.
— Chelsea FC Fans (@ChelseaFC_Talk_) 22 September 2019
Enough of this excuses Mount wasnt fit to complete this game. Pulisic could have added more pace and creativity. Hope it is not an English agenda stuff going on.
— Malson (@malson_m) 22 September 2019
This doesn't make sense
— Kofi Mochacho (@Mochacho_9) 22 September 2019
Pulisic over Willian any day
— Bourgeoisie? (@kwesiboujee) 22 September 2019
What does Pulisic have to do to get ahead of Willian for christ's sake?
— Jaymis Peter (@PeterSikute) 22 September 2019
ZERO minutes since the international break.
— Afzal Mohammed (@afzalmohammed5) 22 September 2019
Drop willian please
— ??FRIZZY ON D BEAT?? (@frizzybeatz) 22 September 2019
Disappointing to not see one of our best talents not playing
— Darron (@WASHBELLY80) 22 September 2019
What I don’t understand is pulisic is more experienced then some our own ??♂️
— Lampardirect (@rafwinger) 22 September 2019
Lampard does have a lot of options in wide areas. Mount’s form in recent games (three goals in eight matches) means he would be hard to leave out. With Willian and Pedro also competing for starts, Pulisic has a battle on his hands to get game time.
The American put in some promising displays in the opening month of the season, but he’s also had some poor games and it appears he will need to be eased into life at the Blues. Lampard said as much after the loss to Liverpool:
“Christian is a young player as well. His chances will come. There are people on the bench.’
Pulisic is almost certain to start, though, when Chelsea face Grimsby in the Carabao Cup third-round tie on Wednesday night.