Christian Pulisic is becoming increasingly important in Paulo Fonseca's Milan. The American is doing really well and, and he demonstrated it again in the last match against Club Brugge, where he opened the scoring directly from a corner kick.
In an interview with Milannews.it, someone who knows him well, Paolo Stringara, former assistant coach to Jurgen Klinsmann with the USMNT said the following:
Pulisic is becoming an essential player for this Milan. He seems to have taken another leap forward.
"Absolutely, yes. The goal in the derby gave him even more confidence, and he's a player perfectly suited to play for Milan because it's a team full of attacking midfielders, and he can play anywhere: wide on the right, left, or behind the striker. He's turning out to be exactly what I expected him to be. When I saw him at 17, I thought he would become a champion."
Besides being able to play in all areas of the attack, he demonstrated incredible versatility against Udinese; it almost seemed like the only position left for him to play was goalkeeper.
"In my opinion, there are several players, even champions at Milan, who should take an example from Christian for his dedication, enthusiasm, and what he brings to each game."
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"Even from their body language, you can see a lackadaisical attitude, a joyless style of play. Pulisic plays with joy."
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"As a player, if I see a teammate with an indifferent attitude, it deflates me. At Milan, they had players like Rino Gattuso. When I think of him and then see Leao, it feels like a different sport, and I’m talking about attitude on the pitch. Players like Pulisic, and I can say that Chukwueze also impressed me against Brugge for his attitude, make a difference because they inspire others to do better, radiating enthusiasm. Theo and Leao cannot be the example, and it’s no coincidence that Fonseca has also benched them, not because he’s lost it, but because, speaking as a coach, in the locker room, I prefer players with passion and a healthy attitude. I say: imagine what Milan could achieve with Theo and Leao having a different attitude."
The American's positive attitude also comes through from his first brief interview in Italian. Some players, even after three years in Italy, haven't found it necessary to learn the language. Stringara commented:
"And this confirms what I said before: the desire, the will, and the sense of belonging. Christian has all of these qualities. And if I think of a captain for Milan, I imagine it to be him for what he does, for how he behaves, and for his attitude. In my opinion, he's bringing the motivated part of the locker room with him."
For coach Paulo Fonseca, the turning point against Club Brugge came when he moved Christian Pulisic to the central attacking midfielder role. Ultimately, of all positions, is this one behind the striker the best for him?
"I think so, because he has these devastating runs with the ball at his feet."
