U.S. national team coach Gregg Berhalter believes that Christian Pulisic is an example for young players in his home country to follow after the winger was sold to Chelsea on Wednesday.
He becomes the third U.S. player to sign for Chelsea, following Roy Wegerle who signed with the club in 1988, and Matt Miazga who signed in 2016.
It was a record move for a U.S. player and ends any drama over where Pulisic, who has been impressive for the Bundesliga side since breakthrough during the 2015-16 campaign, will land this summer.
Pulisic has also impressed at the international level.
The attacker was one of the few true bright spots on the USA team that failed to earn a spot at the World Cup in Russia and is expected to play a crucial role for the team as it returns to competitive action in 2019 and begins the process of trying to qualify for the 2022 showpiece.
Having made his breakthrough with the USMNT under Jurgen Klinsmann in March of 2016, Pulisic was the leading scorer in Concacaf's final round of qualifying even as Klinsmann was let go and Bruce Arena came up short in a late bid for qualification.
The USMNT will have a new boss take the reins in 2019 in the form of former Columbus Crew coach Berhalter, and the new man in charge says Pulisic’s “commitment to achieving excellence” is something the next generation of players should look to emulate.
“This move is a result of hard work and determination on Christian’s part to pursue his career goals, and is a new level of transfer value for a U.S. international," U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter to U.S. Soccer's website.
"Overall, his commitment to achieving excellence is an example for other young American players to follow.”
Pulisic has been directly involved in 15 goals during his time with the USA, netting nine goals and adding six assists over 23 matches.
He also holds the honor of being the youngest captain in team history, having worn the armband for the USMNT’s loss to Italy in Genk back in November.
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