Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

European giants ramp up interest in wantaway Chelsea star as brutal Pochettino clear out takes shape

Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz, Reece James of Chelsea

Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic has emerged as a key transfer target for Serie A giants AC Milan, according to reports. 

The 24-year-old has fallen out of favour with the Blues after a season of huge spending. Now, he is looking for a way out of the London club.

Pulisic has shown in the past that he can be a top player on his day, so it’s no surprise to see several top clubs vying for his signature.

As previously reported by TEAMtalk, the United States international ‘wants to leave’ Chelsea this summer in favour of more consistent playing time elsewhere.

Pulisic started just seven Premier League matches this season, scoring just one goal in the process. Now, Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly willing to sell the attacker.

This is partly due to the fact that the American’s contract will expire in June 2024, meaning that this summer is Chelsea’s last chance to get a decent return for him.

Although, the Blues have already accepted that they will lose a huge chunk of the £57.6m they paid for Pulisic back in 2019. Indeed, they are willing to accept £20m for him this summer.

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Pulisic to lead Chelsea exodus

According to Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio, AC Milan have ‘identified Pulisic as a potential transfer option.’

The Rossoneri are keen to bolster their attacking options in the summer window and see the Chelsea outcast as someone who could improve their squad.

Interestingly, Micah Richards arecently said that Pulisic should leave Chelsea, and go somewhere where he could be the ‘main man.’

“He needs to go somewhere where he needs to be the main man,” Richards told CBS Sports.

“When he plays for the US he plays different, he feels like the main man. He’s a lot better than he shows and he needs to be more consistent.”

Now, with Pulisic’s departure looking increasingly likely, the only question is where he will end up. AC Milan are currently leading the race, but there is believed to be interest from Premier League clubs, too.

But, as mentioned, he will not be the only player to leave Chelsea this summer.

For instance, N’Golo Kante looks set to join Al-Ittihad. The Frenchman is ‘close’ to agreeing a €10m-per-year package with the Saudi-backed club, where he will play alongside Karim Benzema.

Mason Mount’s long-anticipated switch to Manchester United is nearing completion, too.

Alongside them, Pochettino is reportedly willing to offload the likes of Edouard Mendy, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly and several others.

The impending clearout is partly due to FFP concerns. But, given Chelsea’s woeful 12th place finish in 2022/23, a mass exodus could be exactly what Pochettino needs to get the Blues back on track.

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