Glenn Coleman
Aug 21, 2023 - 11:10

Christian Pulisic sends clear Chelsea message in statement on AC Milan

Christian Pulisic sends a message to former club Chelsea with a strong performance and goal in AC Milan's Serie A opener.

In a thrilling start to his Serie A campaign with AC Milan, former Chelsea winger and USMNT star Christian Pulisic delivered an emphatic message to his former club. Pulisic, who made the move to San Siro in July, reunited with former teammate Fikayo Tomori and was later joined by Ruben Loftus-Cheek in what was viewed as a significant overhaul of Chelsea's squad.

Under the ownership of Todd Boehly and the management of Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea underwent a mass clear-out of their dressing room, with Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek being two of the 18 players to depart the club during the summer transfer window. The departure of these players was seen as a necessary step to address the issue of a bloated squad that had troubled previous managers.

Despite only scoring three goals in the previous season, Pulisic wasted no time in making an impact at AC Milan. He showcased his skills during the team's preseason match against Monza, where he scored a goal in the Silvio Berlusconi Trophy, a game that Milan eventually won on penalties.

Now, Pulisic has taken his impressive form into the Serie A season opener against Bologna. In a remarkable display, he played a crucial role in both of AC Milan's first two goals. The opening goal came just 11 minutes into the match, as Pulisic delivered a precise cross that teammate Tijjani Reijnders headed back across the penalty box. Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud calmly finished the chance, giving AC Milan the lead.

However, it was Pulisic's second goal that truly stole the spotlight. The 24-year-old received the ball inside the opposition half, executed a fantastic one-two with Giroud, and unleashed a powerful shot from 20 yards out, leaving Bologna goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski helpless. As Pulisic celebrated his goal, he was visibly ecstatic, and he proudly slapped the badge of his new club, sending a clear message to Chelsea that he has found his new home.

This impressive performance by Pulisic not only demonstrated his immediate impact at AC Milan but also showcased his determination and commitment to his new club. With his electrifying display, Pulisic has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on both AC Milan fans and those at Chelsea.