The Rondo, Christian Pulisic edition: For which other European clubs could the USMNT and Milan standout start?

Christian Pulisic is in the form of his life. The USMNT’s captain has been a crucial part of Milan’s side, even as the Rossonieri have struggled their way through the early part of the season. And he’s played hero for the USMNT, too, rescuing the national team in a 1-1 draw against New Zealand in September.

It’s all led to conversation as to just how good Pulisic is – and how good he can be? Is the attacking midfielder world-class? Is he just on the precipice? Is he well-placed to carry the new-look USMNT to success under Mauricio Pochettino with a World Cup less than two years away?

Part of that assessment is placing Pulisic in context with peers around the global game. And one way to consider those comps is to project which other European teams would seek to add Pulisic to their squads, if the opportunity existed.

It’s all hypothetical, of course, but it makes for a compelling conversation. Our GOAL US writers are up to the task, as they consider Pulisic’s season so far, and debate which teams in Europe he could immediately start for, in this Christian Pulisic edition of… The Rondo.

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  Which teams does Pulisic immediately walk into?

  Tom Hindle: Right lads, let’s get it started, but ask it from the opposite direction. How many teams in the world does Captain America NOT walk into?

  Jacob Schneider: In England, I think he would find himself in the starting XI in for every team except Liverpool and Chelsea. The world has a shortage of elite left wingers, and add in the fact he can move to the 10 or even RW if needed, and he’s an instantly more attractive target for clubs. You’d take him over Jeremy Doku, but if it were down to Jack Grealish or Pulisic, I think Jack is more technically gifted.

  At Arsenal, he’s a clear upgrade over Gabriel Martinelli, who is perhaps the most overrated attacker in the Premier League. At Chelsea, he’s an upgrade, but with their past, it’s doubtful he would want to take the pitch there again. In Liverpool, he’s not at the level of Luis Diaz or Mo Salah, and I don’t think he fits as a 10 in their system.

  In Spain, he starts for every team but Real Madrid. Rather scintillating to think of him opposite of Lamine Yamal with Lewandowski in the middle, in fact. In France, he probably starts for everyone. At PSG, they have Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, but Pulisic brings a bit more consistency than Barcola at the moment – and he is definitely an upgrade over Lee Kang-In.

  In Germany, I think he breaks into the roster for Bayern ahead of Serge Gnabry. Otherwise, I think he’s a clear upgrade across the league for all teams, including Leverkusen and Dortmund. In Italy, yeah, he starts everywhere. It’s a small list, sure, but he’s in-form and at the moment I think most clubs would absolutely give him the runout.

  TH: Behave.

  JS: Sorry that Doku isn’t actually good, Tom

  TH: This is zero percent about the pacey Belgian boy.

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    The case for Pulisic at Man City

    Ryan Tolmich: Realistically, there aren’t many teams that couldn’t use Pulisic right now, especially at the level he’s playing at. He might just be the world’s most in-form winger at the moment, which is saying something considering the stars in that position.

    He wouldn’t walk into the Real Madrid team, but few would. Other than that, though, are there many other clubs that couldn’t use him? You’d take him over Doku at Manchester City. Liverpool are loaded in attack, but he’s already being hailed as the potential Mohamed Salah replacement. PSG aren’t PSG anymore, while Barcelona are… yeah. Bayern have a case with Gnabry and Leroy Sane, but you could argue either way.

    If your club doesn’t wear all white and win the Champions League every year, you’d probably be better with Pulisic in your squad.

    TH: All fair points, Ryan. What I would say, though, is there’s no way that with (clears throat) Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Doku, Grealish and, Kevin De Bruyne sometimes in wide positions that Pulisic even sniffs that XI.

    For me, he doesn’t get into: Liverpool, City, Arsenal, Madrid, Bayern, Leverkusen, Inter, PSG. As for the messy club in Catalonia, it depends your mood. For now, he does ahead of Raphinha, but it’s close. If we’re considering him a RW, that Lamine Yamal kid ain’t bad. Stop playing football manager (looking at you, Alex Labidou). Whichever way you spin it, he’s out of eight teams. Not sure there’s much shame in that.

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      Why would he leave Milan?

      Alex Labidou: Guys, there are really only about five clubs in the world where Pulisic wouldn’t serve as at least a rotational player: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern.

      Now if the question extends to which teams could he NOT currently start for, the number of teams would extend to maybe three more: his former club Chelsea, PSG and Liverpool (unless the rumored Salah exit happens).

      Here’s the question though: Why would he leave Milan? As long as the club doesn’t resort to cost cutting mode, he has a chance that few Americans get: A chance to become an icon at a major club in Europe. Milan are one of the top 10 clubs in the world. Unless Real Madrid or Barcelona comes knocking, and they are well stocked at his position, Milan seems like the ideal club to cement a legacy.

      Just think, 14 years ago, American soccer fans were happy about Oguchi Onyewu just having the chance to be signed by the Rossoneri. Now, there’s a valid argument about if Milan are big enough for Pulisic. Shows how far American soccer players have come.

      TH: Who’s Oguchi Onyewu?

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      The Leverkusen question

      JS: If you’re telling me you’re starting Martin Terrier over Pulisic I’m going to question every decision you’ve ever made RE: Leverkusen. And the context is literally that he is just better than Doku and Doku gets continuous starts. If we’re looking at a simple player swap, he is better than Doku. At Arsenal, he is absolutely clear of Gabriel Martinelli. Leandro Trossard maybe gives him a run for his money every week or so, but he’s still more reliable than him.

      TH: Alejandro Grimaldo, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz. Need I say more?

      JS: Terrier has started (checks notes) four of their last five matches, including their UCL opener. Fun fact, he has as many goals as red cards this season (one). Grimaldo is a LWB, Frimpong is a RWB, Wirtz plays as the LCAM in their Christmas tree. Pulisic easily breaks into the RCAM slot beneath Victor Boniface and opposite Wirtz.

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        Rounding it off

        AL: Away from the Leverkusen thing, and focusing on the actual topic at hand … What’s unique about Pulisic since heading to Italy is just how incisive he’s been since going to Milan. It appears as if he’s way more direct than he used to be at Chelsea, outside of maybe his first year where he showed glimpses of the form he has now, and Dortmund where he was more of facilitator than a scorer.

        Which takes is back to the question previously posed: Why leave something that’s working? Milan are clearly catering their system around Pulisic and are getting results. There is no guarantee he’ll be as prolific in another set up.

        RT: Agree with Alex here. It’s one of those things that’s super hard for players: knowing when to stay and when to go. Pulisic’s teammate Weston McKennie, for example, has shown discipline in knowing when to stay in bad moments. Pulisic will eventually have to decide if he wants to stay in a good one.

        Confidence-wise, you can see that he’s a different player. He’s not playing scared or trying to prove anything to anyone; he’s just balling out. You can’t really put a price on that. From a USMNT perspective, there’s nothing more important than having a happy, confident Pulisic and, if Milan is where he’s allowed to flourish, so be it. Could he flourish elsewhere? Absolutely. We’ve discussed that at length here. There will come a time where a decision has to be made and, after so many years of frustration at Chelsea, it must be nice being on the right side of things once again.

        TH: Intelligent points, what a concept. The two of you are right here, though. Perhaps it’s just worth celebrating and acknowledging his growth. Maybe there comes a day in which he plays at a slightly higher level, competing for league titles and UCL medals every season. But for now being arguably the best attacking player in Serie A isn’t too bad.