Christian Pulisic admits he ‘wishes he got more of an opportunity’ at Chelsea after joining AC Milan

Christian Pulisic has bemoaned the lack of opportunities at his ex-club, Chelsea, after ending his tough spell in the Premier League to join AC Milan, as the USA’s star looks ahead to an ‘exciting’ new chapter in his career, following his £18.8m ($24.2M) move.

The 24-year-old American midfielder and forward, who joined the Blues after four seasons with Borussia Dortmund, scored 26 goals in 145 games for Chelsea and won a Champions League medal in 2021. 

But after netting 19 Premier League goals in his first three seasons he had just one in 2022-23 — none in 20 matches after October 8. He made just two starts after the new year. 

‘I haven’t gotten the opportunities I’ve wanted in recent years and haven’t reached the level that I want to be at, and this is a great opportunity for me to do that,’ Pulisic said during an online press conference. 

‘Of course there are definitely times where I wish I could’ve gotten more of an opportunity and been that guy, but yeah, for whatever reason, that’s not the case, and like I said, I’m just so excited for this new challenge and I’m definitely ready and up for it.’ 

Christian Pulisic has joined Milan after scoring 26 goals in 145 games for Chelsea in four years

Pulisic, dubbed  ‘Captain America’ in the US, only started twice for the Blues after January

Pulisic’s best performance for Chelsea perhaps came when he scored against Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals — a game before the Blues lifted the trophy for the second time in club history. 

But now, he joins a long list of players who have left Stamford Bridge after they came 12th in the Premier League last season, their lowest finish in nearly three decades. 

Milan came fourth in Serie A last term to qualify for the Champions League and Pulisic has had reassurances that he’ll be given more chances to shine in Italy than he did by the Rossoneris manager, Stefan Pioli. 

‘I think he made me feel like he wanted me here, he wanted me to be a part of this team and he saw me fitting into this team, and that’s what I wanted to hear,’ the player dubbed ‘Captain America’ told ESPN.

‘Obviously I want a fair opportunity like everyone else to have the chance to come here. I still need to earn my place, of course, but it felt like I was wanted here and I have a great opportunity, if I show good effort, good attitude every day and train well, that I’m going to get the opportunity to go out and perform.’ 

Pulisic will wear the number 11 shirt, worn by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and acknowledged the weight of responsibility that comes with it following the Swede’s retirement.

‘I’m not trying to fill his shoes, he’d a legend, but it was a fresh beginning and a number that I liked,’ Pulisic said.

‘There are so many big names you can go through, but I am a bit younger, so watched the likes of Kaka and Ibrahimovic, plus the players who are here now.’

Pulisic has big shoes to fill at Milan, succeeding Zlatan Ibrahamovic in taking the No. 11 shirt

Pulisic was persuaded by former Chelsea striker, Olivier Giroud, to make the switch to Italy

He becomes the second player to leave Chelsea for Milan in this transfer window after midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, revealing he was persuaded to make the move by former Blues striker and French forward, Olivier Giroud. 

‘Playing in a new league, a new challenge for me, it’s just going to test me that much more, and when those big moments like Copa America and stuff come around, I’m just going to be that much more battle tested, and that’s how I feel with coming to a new club, getting to play in all different types of new games and playing new teams,’ Pulisic further said.

‘Massive opportunity for me to really step up and go to another level as a player. And when those things come around with the national team, I know I’ll be in top form and be ready.’

The player from Hersey, Pennsylvania, will have to adapt to his new surroundings rather quickly if he wants to hit the ground running with style. Pulisic claims he’s already familiar with Italian culture through his late grandmother. 

‘I think my grandma would definitely be the most proud seeing this, so it’s a great feeling,’ he said. ‘I’m really proud, I’m really honored to be here to play for such a historic club like this and to play in Italy. She’s definitely looking down and proud.’