‘Remarkable qualities’ – Why USMNT ace Christian Pulisic can star for AC Milan if he heeds the advice of Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola

The United States international bid farewell to Stamford Bridge when completing a €22 million (£19m/$24m) transfer to San Siro. He has made an immediate impact in Italy – on the back of struggles for form and fitness in England – with goals recorded in back-to-back Serie A appearances.

Ex-Italy international Zola believes the USMNT star can thrive in new surroundings, telling DAZN of what needs to happen in order for the talented 24-year-old to produce his best on a regular basis: “Christian Pulisic is a player who, if he avoids injuries, is very strong and very important, he has remarkable qualities.”

While talking up Pulisic’s potential, Zola believes Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be the man to make the biggest impact for Milan in 2023-24. He added: “Another new AC Milan signing who has never been considered for his value is Ruben Loftus-Cheek. He can play in different positions… mezzala, midfielder… he has impressive technical and physical qualities, he can become the player of the season. When he was at Chelsea with Maurizio Sarri, he was the player who made them change gears, because he’s someone who has so much physicality and quality that he’s the one who really allowed them to break up the games. He received the ball, beat a man and created superiority: he was really decisive.”

Milan, with Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek looking to make it three wins in a row at the start of the new season, will be back in action on Friday when taking in a trip to the Italian capital to face Jose Mourinho’s Roma.