Overtime’ demand for USMNT star Christian Pulisic after 12,000km trip – with AC Milan reluctant to make big bench call on ‘best player’

The United States international is currently away with his country as they open a new era under former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino. Pulisic has friendly dates with Panama and Mexico on his immediate schedule.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The second of those fixtures is not due to take place in Central America until next Tuesday. From there, Pulisic – along with club and international colleague Yunus Musah – will face a gruelling long-haul trip back to Europe.

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    It is claimed that he will have travelled around 12,000km by the time that he returns to Milan – with jet lag of obvious concern. Gazzetta dello Sport is, however, reporting that the Rossoneri will resist any urge to bench Pulisic, given his ever-growing importance to the team.

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    WHAT NEXT?

    He will have just 48 hours in which to prepare for a Serie A home date with Udinese, with “overtime” being required in a busy week that also includes a Champions League clash with Club Brugge. Milan are said to acknowledge that six-goal Pulisic is their “best player” at present and “not the type to change matches in 10 minutes at the end” if he were to be used as an impact substitute.