The Rise of Christian Pulisic: Is He One of the Best Offense Players in the World?
Christian Pulisic, the USMNT captain, has been making waves in the soccer world with his exceptional performance this season with AC Milan. His new coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has praised him as “one of the best offensive players in the world.” But is this just coachspeak, or is there truth to this claim?
The Numbers Don’t Lie
When it comes to goals and assists, Pulisic has been on fire. Across Europe’s Big Five leagues, he’s one of only seven players averaging more than 1.0 non-penalty goals+assists per 90 minutes. This puts him in the company of soccer royalty like Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Erling Haaland.
What’s Behind Pulisic’s Success?
So, what’s changed for Pulisic? Under new coach Paulo Fonseca, AC Milan has shifted its playing style, focusing on controlling the ball in dangerous areas rather than relying on quick transitions. This has allowed Pulisic to thrive as a top-of-the-box playmaker, creating chances and scoring goals with ease.
Sustainability is Key
While Pulisic’s current form is impressive, the question remains: can he keep it up? His shot-taking and shot-creating numbers are unsustainable, but his underlying performance suggests he’s capable of maintaining a high level of production. If he can continue to create chances and score goals at this rate, he’ll undoubtedly be one of the best offensive players in the world.
A New Chapter for Pulisic
Pulisic’s transformation into a more creative, playmaking role has been a key factor in his success. He’s no longer relying on his speed and agility to carry the ball into the box; instead, he’s using his vision and passing ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. This new style of play may be more sustainable for Pulisic, who has struggled with injuries in the past.
The Verdict
Christian Pulisic is currently playing some of the best soccer of his life, and the numbers back it up. While there are questions about whether he can maintain this level of production, his underlying performance suggests he’s capable of doing just that. Is he one of the best offensive players in the world? Right now, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
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