25 June 2023 , 10:17
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Christian Pulisic insists he needs to leave Chelsea this summer transfer window “to find joy at club level” after a difficult spell at Stamford Bridge.
It comes months after Manchester United were said to be weighing-up a sensational move for the US international. United had been linked to the 24-year-old across each of the past two transfer windows, including a loan move in January.
That came after Pulisic admitted he has a soft spot for United having grown up supporting the Red Devils. "I was a big Manchester United fan when I was younger," he told ESPN in 2017. "I loved to watch [Wayne] Rooney. I wouldn't say I'm a similar player, though.
"I think his passion for the game is something you don't see much in players. That's what I loved about him." Pulisic has struggled for consistent game-time at Chelsea and looks set to be on the move this summer.
The player this weekend told ESPN that this summer transfer window "is absolutely a time where I need to figure out what's best for my future, somewhere I can go and play and be trusted and feel good in what I'm doing. I want to find that joy at a club level again."
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A report in L'Equipe spoke of Lyon’s interest in the wide forward but added that any deal was complicated due to the player’s wage demands and other clubs who are monitoring his future. Italian clubs Inter, Milan and Juventus are believed be among the sides interested in a summer switch.
Pulisic looks set to leave Chelsea this summer (Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)Have Your Say! Which club should sign Pulisic this summer ? Tell us what you think here.
Chelsea paid Dortmund £58million for Pulisic's services in January 2019, with the move going through six months later. The American scored 13 goals and provided 18 assists in 90 Bundesliga games and helped Dortmund win the DFB-Pokal in May 2017.
Pulisic was expected to kick on after his switch to Chelsea but has managed to score just 20 Premier League goals and provided 11 assists in 98 games in England’s top-flight. He has won three trophies at Stamford Bridge - the Champions League, European Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Pulisic has struggled to establish himself as Chelsea's talisman and fill the void left by Eden Hazard. He was limited to just eight Premier League starts last season and with a plethora of attacking additions in west London over the past year, has found himself surplus to requirements.
The 24-year-old continually struggled to enjoy a prolonged run of fitness at Stamford Bridge, not starting more than half of the available Premier League matches in any of his four seasons at the club – starting just 58 out of a possible 152 since his 2019 switch.