Date published: Friday 10th February 2023 12:27 – Joe Williams
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Christian Pulisic is set to lead a summer ‘transfer exodus’ at Chelsea with another six players made available, according to reports.
The USA international has struggled to make a big impact since moving from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2019 with the forward scoring 26 goals in 136 appearances.
There has been criticism of his performances for Chelsea over the past couple of campaigns and he was linked with a move to Newcastle United in the January transfer window.
And it now seems that he will be on his way out of Stamford Bridge in the summer after Chelsea spent over €600m on additions in the last two transfer windows.
ESPN claim that the American is ‘set to lead a summer clearout at Chelsea as the Blues continue a radical overhaul of their squad’ in the next transfer window.
Pulisic ‘was open to leaving Stamford Bridge in January’ with ‘a knee injury scuppered any prospect of a move’ and with his contract running out in June 2024 ‘there are no plans at present to offer an extension’.
Instead, Chelsea will attempt to sell him and ‘accept they will have to make a significant loss on the €64m paid to Borussia Dortmund to acquire the winger in 2019’.
ESPN add:
‘Hakim Ziyech is also likely to leave after a deadline day loan move to Paris Saint-Germain collapsed over paperwork issues, while striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang faces a bleak future at the club after being left out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad.
‘MLS side LAFC are reportedly exploring a move for the 33-year-old, who could also attract summer interest from Spanish LaLiga clubs after his successful spell with Barcelona last year.
‘Sources have told ESPN that Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly and Callum Hudson-Odoi could also be made available, while they will cut their losses on €115m striker Romelu Lukaku (who is currently on loan at Inter Milan), and there is uncertainty over N’Golo Kante and Mason Mount as Chelsea attempt to get the pair to sign new contracts.’
While rumours were swirling about a possible departure from the club in January, Pulisic was called “weak” off the ball by former Everton midfielder Don Hutchison.
“The trouble now with Potter when he is sitting there with his coaching staff and the analysis (team), where they are looking at everything,” Hutchison said. “They probably thinking ‘we could do with probably letting about six or seven first-team players go’. They are not good enough and not what I want.
“You can’t do it. It’s impossible because you are sitting in tenth. You need them. You need replacement before you move those players on. He hasn’t got time for that.
“Christian Pulisic is a talented player. All these players are talented players. Don’t get me wrong because they play for their countries and they play for Chelsea. And they play in the Premier League.
“But, off the ball, Christian Pulisic is weak. Aubameyang, weak. Hakim Ziyech, who started at the World Cup, weak. You can’t carry players.”
