Chelsea news: Thierry Henry offers scathing assessment of Christian Pulisic while Jamie Carragher questions his World Cup future

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has questioned whether Chelsea outcast Christian Pulisic warrants the trust of new Blues boss Graham Potter.

The United States international was an unused substitute during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over AC Milan in the Champions League. Pulisic struggled for game time under former Blues manager Thomas Tuchel and appears to have similar issues under Potter.

The 24-year-old has started just one game this season which came in a 2-1 victory over West Ham.

His last full 90-minute league match came all the way back in May during a home 2-2 draw against Wolves.

One reason why Pulisic can’t get his foot in the door is due to the wealth of attacking talent currently in the squad.

Potter fielded Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the starting line-up against Milan alongside Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling.

In the second-half, Kai Havertz and Armando Broja were brought on as attacking substitutes.

Pulisic has clearly fallen down the pecking order since arriving at the club in 2019. The American was brought in by then-manager Frank Lampard as the Blues tried to replace outgoing Eden Hazard.

Pulisic made 34 appearances in his first season at Stamford Bridge. He also scored 11 goals and produced 11 assists in the process.

The following year, the player made 43 appearances as Chelsea reached the FA Cup final and won the Champions League.

Can Graham Potter trust Christian Pulisic?

Legendary Premier League striker Thierry Henry was asked about Pulisic following Wednesday’s Champions League win over Milan.

The 45-year-old questioned the American, saying on CBS Sports: “At one point you’re gonna have to bring something on the table.

“How many managers are not going to trust you? It’s gonna have to be you at one point. So find a way.”

Jamie Carragher, on the other hand, believes Pulisic could miss out on a World Cup spot.

The former Liverpool defender said: “The manager at Chelsea changes quite a lot, and you always think, OK, you’re gonna have a chance, a new chance at proving something, he might play differently.

“But we haven’t seen much of him already, and it’s early days for Graham Potter but Thomas Tuchel didn’t use him too much, certainly the new manager [hasn’t] in these early games. So I think it’s a little bit worrying for America in terms of the World Cup.

“We talk in England as well about getting players up to speed for the World Cup and it doesn’t look like he’s gonna be maybe at his best, in terms of fitness-wise, energy, sharpness, rhythm. There’s just so many players in those attacking positions, the most he’s gonna get is minutes coming off the bench.

“And I don’t know if that will be enough for him to show his best in the national team in the World Cup.”

World Cup in doubt for Christian Pulisic?

With the FIFA World Cup just over six weeks away, Pulisic has a narrow window of opportunity to cement his place in Gregg Berhalter’s side.

The 24-year-old has a lot of credit in the bank with his national side, having bagged 21 goals in 52 appearances.

In fact, the attacking midfielder is already seventh on the all-time scoring charts for the United States. Pulisic sits just three goals behind former Everton star Joe-Max Moore.

The Chelsea player last featured for the USA in a recent 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. However, he was taken off in the second-half as the team failed to impress.

The Americans have been out of form in recent outings. Berhalter’s men will enter the World Cup having won just one of their last five games.

Their first match in Qatar will come against Wales on November 21. Whether Pulisic makes the starting line-up could be down to how much game time he is offered at Chelsea over the next six weeks.

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