Chelsea to take £38million hit as ruthless Pochettino lines up attacking star’s exit to Juventus
Chelsea wingers Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling
New Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly willing to offload Christian Pulisic for £20million this summer, and Juventus are leading the race.
It’s not been a good season for the Blues however things are viewed. The club would have expected to build upon their third-placed finish last season, especially with their large outlay in both the summer and winter transfer windows.
That’s far from how things have panned out. Chelsea ended up coming 12th, one of the worst Premier League finishes in their history.
Most of the new additions have done very little so far. What they have done, though, is make it difficult for any manager to know what his best side is.
Indeed, 16 players have walked through the door at Stamford Bridge in the last two transfer windows. Six of those players are forwards, which has meant for some chopping and changing up top.
As a result, the minutes of some players have suffered. That’s been the case for Pulisic, whose tally of 22 league games last season equated to 1,285 minutes.
While he’s played more games this season, the time he’s actually spent on the pitch has drastically reduced, with the forward appearing for just 812 minutes.
With his role dwindling, he’s often been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.
Juventus leading race for £20million Pulisic
While new boss Pochettino’s arrival as manager could have turned things around for Pulisic, that’s not going to happen. Indeed, ESPN reports the manager ‘will not signal a U-turn on the club’s decision to listen to offers’ for the American.
Furthermore, Pulisic is said to be ‘high on the list of potential departures’.
Despite that, the Blues will take a hit on the attacker when they do see the back of him. Indeed, he cost the club £58million from Borussia Dortmund in 2019.
The report suggests Chelsea will accept an offer of £20million for him. It wouldn’t be difficult for any top-flight side to muster up that sort of cash.
Juventus seem to be the side who are most likely to do so. The report states the Old Lady are ‘leading the race’ to sign the American. While they’re among a number of interested sides, they’re said to be the frontrunners.
That’s despite their ‘reluctance to match Pulisic’s Stamford Bridge pay deal’. He is seen as an affordable option, but the Serie A giants are hoping to strike a deal to reduce his wages.
Pulisic exit the right move
Getting players off the books who are not offering a whole lot seems to be Chelsea’s current business model, as per reports. This season, while he’s not played all too often, Pulisic has directly contributed to just three goals.
As such, the Blues shipping him out and receiving a fee seems the right move.
It seems it’s the right time to go for him, too. The American has never really secured a consistent role in the side, largely being used as a fringe player.
A move to another decent side could allow him the chance at playing consistent football, and showing he can contribute to wins.
