'I'm really proud' - AC Milan star Christian Pulisic hailed for 'pushing reset button' after Chelsea struggles as USMNT legend makes Mohamed Salah comparison

The United States international did rewrite the history books when figuring in a Champions League triumph for the Blues, but saw form and fitness issues prevent him from delivering the desired level of consistency in west London. With that in mind, the decision was taken to head for Italy in 2023.

Pulisic has become a talismanic presence at San Siro, posting several personal bests with the Rossoneri, and is once again ‘Captain America’ with his country. At 26 years of age, the talented forward is unlocking his true potential and generating more Premier League transfer talk – amid links to Liverpool.

Quizzed on what has changed for Pulisic, legendary former USMNT goalkeeper Kasey Keller – speaking in association with William Hill Vegas – told GOAL: "I don’t know if it’s necessarily been a big light switch, I think he’s had a consistent run. He had that at Dortmund, which is obviously why Chelsea committed to what they did to bring him in. I think it was just one of those strange things where when he played really well, he looked like he’d turned a corner and then for whatever reason, injury or misfortune, he had to start back over. Then there were managerial changes and someone who wants to bring in their own people – it was just one of those odd things.

"We’ve all seen that it’s not a singular issue at Chelsea when you look at Kevin De Bruyne, Mo Salah, there have been plenty of guys that have gone to clubs and for whatever reason the timing wasn’t right or maybe they weren’t quite where they needed to be at that stage, or a combination of the two. I think what’s happened is he’s got somewhere and stayed fit. He’s been able to consistently prove himself."

Keller added on the 2024-25 version of Pulisic: "I was fortunate enough to do some work with [Jurgen] Klinsmann with the national team when Christian just broke into the national team, when he was 17/18, and you could see then there was something different. We know what the majority of Americans have been – great athletes, they have been able to fight and compete and help out that way, we weren’t necessarily always considered the most skilful player on the pitch. It was clear when I saw Christian early on that there was a chance to be something different.

"I’m proud of what he’s been able to do, which is reset his career. Let’s be honest, it’s AC Milan, he’s not at some small club. You’re not looking at down to League One and then figure it out – which is still a great accomplishment if that is the route you need to take. He’s done a tremendous job of re-establishing himself. To go from the point where you are at Chelsea and you’re not sure what’s going to happen and you then get the move, now you are being linked as Mo Salah’s replacement at Liverpool – that’s a pretty good reset button after 18 months."

Pressed further on whether Pulisic can be considered world-class after finding consistency on form and fitness fronts, Keller added: "It starts the other way, it’s fitness-form. At least it was at Chelsea. That’s the part, and he has a little knock right now that doesn’t look like it’s going to be a big deal. There has to be that point, and I think a lot of managers will tell you, sporting directors when they are looking to buy players, there has to be this trust that you are going to be available for the majority of matches.

"Plenty of players have gone through injury issues and then it has to be that situation where you have to rebuild that trust and the manager says ‘I can make this commitment because I know that nine out of 10 times you are going to be fit to be in the squad’. Do you know how hard it is as a manager to start making plans and tactics, how you are going to play, and then the player that fits into your tactic is never fit to play and then you have to adjust everything because nobody else can play like that in your system? I understand why there is that apprehension at times.

"All you can do as a player is go out and stay fit. It’s easier said than done because when you are a skilful player, somebody is going to boot you every once in a while - which happens! I’m really proud of what he’s done. He’s reset by basically just saying ‘I can stay fit, I can play not only at the highest level week in, week out in the league but I can also do it in Europe’."

Pulisic has eight goals to his name this season, with three of those efforts coming in the Champions League, and has earned favour with a demanding fan base that are looking forward to seeing him back in action once a minor injury has been shaken off.