The AC Milan right-winger, Christian Pulisic, granted an exclusive interview to those at The Athletic. Here are his statements:
"“I remember watching World Cups as a kid and watching (Clint) Dempsey scoring goals in the World Cup,” he says, “(Landon) Donovan scoring the winning goal (against Algeria in South Africa in 2010). It’s moments like that, that stick in kids’ minds and can really inspire a generation, which is what those moments did for me.”
He added:
"Watching someone that’s from where you’re from and playing at the highest level and showing the world we can compete and be the best; you know, compete with the best,” he explains. “For me, that’s what it’s all about. If I can inspire kids, especially back home in the U.S. but hopefully all over the world. There’s nothing… there’s no greater prize for me.”
How then does Pulisic square his self-effacing character with the expectation his profile and ability generates?
“I’ve had my difficulties with it. It’s not something that affects my day-to-day life. I think I’m quite a simple guy. I’m not out in public all the time, so it doesn’t affect me. I’m in training every day. I come home and I can relax and speak to the people close to me and the people that I love, so it’s not something that bothers me in any way. It’s just some getting used to and I’m really grateful I have the platform to do what I want to do.”
On his impact off-the pitch and bringing in new fans:
"I think that’s just a win-win. That’s an extra thing. That’s not what I focus on. I focus on the sporting aspect, performing and winning games."
On his time so far in the Milan team:
"I’m enjoying it a lot. I’ve been given a great opportunity here."
Did you feel that you were not getting an opportunity in Chelsea? Pulisic replied:
"I’m not here to talk about whether it was fair or not back then. I’m just happy to be where I am now, for sure. The first couple of years (at Chelsea) were fantastic. The last couple of years… I think a lot of things in the club changed. A lot of people also left this summer, got new opportunities and have done well."
On reuniting with old friends from Chelsea at Milan (Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fikayo Tomori, and Olivier Giroud):
"That made it a lot easier. My first goal vs Bologna came from a one-two with Giroud? I know a lot of his tendencies, he knows mine. It’s been great to play off him. Things like that are only going to help with the chemistry within the team and get me accustomed to a new team, a new league."
On his compatriot Yunus Musah:
"He’s an incredible kid. I love playing with him in the national team. It’s great now to see him day-to-day. If I don’t understand something, he’s there to help me out. He’s teaching me a bit of everything. Mostly the footballing stuff I need to know."
Playing in a different position from the one he tends to occupy for the USMNT, Pulisic believes the experience of playing on the right rather than the left has made him a better player.
“I’ve learned a lot, especially playing off the right side. I’ve learned a lot about finding the right times to come inside. I’ve improved with my weaker foot as well and in finding the right solutions, the right times to run in behind, when to show to feet. I’ve really improved tactically about the game in that sense.
“From a defensive point of view as well, I think I’ve improved and I feel good about helping the team defensively whether it’s pressing or covering the right spaces. Some things I’ve definitely seen a change in in coming to Italy.”
On Milan's difficult period... Is the team out of the Scudetto race? Pulisic answered:
"There’s still half a season to go, so that doesn’t seem fair. We’re still going to push on and do our best. We still have lots to play for. We’re still in the Europa League. There are many games left in the league this season, so we’re not at all discouraged by what’s going on. We’re going to continue to push and win games and hopefully make our fans proud."
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