'The Bundesliga Tax'. It's a phrase that has become more prominent amongst supporters over the past decade or so, used to describe the growing trend of players who have lit up the German top-flight who have been sold to Premier League clubs for big money, only to fail to replicate that same form when arriving in England.

AC Milan duo Christian Pulisic and Adrien Rabiot have recovered from their respective injuries but are expected to be rested for Sunday’s clash against Roma as a precautionary measure. The club’s medical team and coach Massimiliano Allegri are keen to ensure both players regain full match fitness before returning to action, with their comeback likely to take place in next week’s fixture against Parma instead.

Christian Pulisic has been told that he is not the captain the USMNT "want or need", with Alexi Lalas claiming Mauricio Pochettino's squad is lacking "bad boys" ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Lalas, never one to mince words, opined that while Pulisic may be the country’s biggest footballing name, leadership requires more than star power.

AC Milan have reportedly asked USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino to omit star player Christian Pulisic from his upcoming squad. The Serie A side want the winger to finalise his recovery in Milan to be fit for the derby match against Inter, as manager Massimiliano Allegri seeks to finally deploy Pulisic in attack alongside Rafael Leao in the crucial fixture.

GOAL US writers discuss the biggest USMNT developments as Mauricio Pochettino continues the build up to 2026 World Cup