'I'm really proud' – AC Milan star Christian Pulisic hailed for 'pushing reset button' after Chelsea struggles as USMNT legend makes Mohamed Salah comparison

Christian Pulisic has been hailed for pushing the "reset button" on the back of his Chelsea struggles, with the USMNT star now thriving at AC Milan.

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Won the Champions League with BluesUnable to unlock full potential in EnglandPosting personal bests aplenty at San SiroFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The United States international did rewrite the history books when figuring in a Champions League triumph for the Blues, but saw form and fitness issues prevent him from delivering the desired level of consistency in west London. With that in mind, the decision was taken to head for Italy in 2023.

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Pulisic has become a talismanic presence at San Siro, posting several personal bests with the Rossoneri, and is once again ‘Captain America’ with his country. At 26 years of age, the talented forward is unlocking his true potential and generating more Premier League transfer talk – amid links to Liverpool.

GettyWHAT KASEY KELLER SAID

Quizzed on what has changed for Pulisic, legendary former USMNT goalkeeper Kasey Keller – speaking in association with – told GOAL: "I don’t know if it’s necessarily been a big light switch, I think he’s had a consistent run. He had that at Dortmund, which is obviously why Chelsea committed to what they did to bring him in. I think it was just one of those strange things where when he played really well, he looked like he’d turned a corner and then for whatever reason, injury or misfortune, he had to start back over. Then there were managerial changes and someone who wants to bring in their own people – it was just one of those odd things.

"We’ve all seen that it’s not a singular issue at Chelsea when you look at Kevin De Bruyne, Mo Salah, there have been plenty of guys that have gone to clubs and for whatever reason the timing wasn’t right or maybe they weren’t quite where they needed to be at that stage, or a combination of the two. I think what’s happened is he’s got somewhere and stayed fit. He’s been able to consistently prove himself."

DID YOU KNOW?

Keller added on the 2024-25 version of Pulisic: "I was fortunate enough to do some work with [Jurgen] Klinsmann with the national team when Christian just broke into the national team, when he was 17/18, and you could see then there was something different. We know what the majority of Americans have been – great athletes, they have been able to fight and compete and help out that way, we weren’t necessarily always considered the most skilful player on the pitch. It was clear when I saw Christian early on that there was a chance to be something different.

"I’m proud of what he’s been able to do, which is reset his career. Let’s be honest, it’s AC Milan, he’s not at some small club. You’re not looking at down to League One and then figure it out – which is still a great accomplishment if that is the route you need to take. He’s done a tremendous job of re-establishing himself. To go from the point where you are at Chelsea and you’re not sure what’s going to happen and you then get the move, now you are being linked as Mo Salah’s replacement at Liverpool – that’s a pretty good reset button after 18 months."