USA manager Gregg Berhalter champions Christian Pulisic amid speculation over Chelsea future

United States manager Gregg Berhalter has backed ‘fighter’ Christian Pulisic to prove his worth as speculation continues over the Chelsea forward’s future.

A big-money signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2019, the 23-year-old has become frustrated at the lack of starts he is making under Thomas Tuchel.

The looming winter World Cup has sharpened Pulisic’s focus and he is reported to be of interest to a variety of clubs, from Manchester United and Newcastle to Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

The 23-year-old was a substitute for the Blues’ opening two Premier League games this term

The US captain could still end up staying put and Berhalter believes he will come good even if he remains with Chelsea until the tournament gets under way in Qatar.

‘He’s a fighter,’ the USA manager said at a Major League Soccer event. ‘You’re going to see. He’s going to get on the field.

‘I mean, every year it’s ‘he may not be a starter’, right? Every year you hear that and every year he ends up on the field because of his contribution.

Manchester United, Newcastle, Atletico Madrid and Juventus have been linked with Pulisic

‘He’s a goalscorer, he’s a winner. What I’ve seen from him in the last couple of years is his mentality has completely shifted and he embraces stuff like this.

‘He’s not scared of challenges like (he has at Chelsea) and I’m excited to see how he performs this year.’

The 23-year-old has made just 73 starts in the last three seasons for the Blues and has struggled to nail down a starting berth in Thomas Tuchel’s side. 

Pulisic was also on the bench for Chelsea’s opening two Premier League games against Everton and Tottenham.