Tim Howard Claims Premier League's Anti-American Bias Stopped Christian Pulisic Succeeding At Chelsea

Former USA goalkeeper Tim Howard thinks that anti-American bias in English soccer prevented Christian Pulisic from becoming a Premier League hit with Chelsea.

Former USA goalkeeper Tim Howard has suggested that anti-American bias within English soccer prevented Christian Pulisic from becoming a Premier League hit with Chelsea.

Pulisic, 24, spent four seasons in England after moving to Stamford Bridge from Germany's Borussia Dortmund in 2019.

After scoring 20 goals and providing nine assists in 98 Premier League appearances - 40 of which came as a substitute - Pulisic left Chelsea in July to join AC Milan in Italy.

Pennsylvania-born Pulisic has netted two goals in his first three Serie A matches for Milan and has been an instant hit among fans.

Christian Pulisic pictured celebrating after scoring on his home debut for AC Milan in a 4-1 win over Torino in August :: IMAGO/Nicolo Campo

Pulisic scored 20 Premier League goals in 98 games for Chelsea :: IMAGO/Sportimage/Paul Terry

But Howard - who kept 132 clean sheets in 399 EPL games for Manchester United and Everton between 2003 and 2016 - believes that Pulisic would likely still be at Chelsea were it not for people judging him based on his nationality.

Speaking on the Offside with Taylor Twellman podcast, Howard said: "For as much as people want to say that the landscape has changed for Americans, it has not.

"I think Christian Pulisic did a brilliant job. When he was called upon in that Chelsea team, if he was Dutch or Italian or anything else, he'd still be in the team. He wouldn't be the first one pulled off the pitch, he wouldn't be a substitute.

"He's that good, he's showing that at Milan now, so as an American it's tough. You have to do it every day."

Pulisic has scored 26 goals in 62 senior international appearances for the USMNT.

He was one of eight England-based players named in the USA squad for last year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar - along with Matt Turner, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, Brenden Aaronson, Ethan Horvath, Tim Ream and Josh Sargent.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard pictured playing for Everton during the 2012/13 season :: IMAGO/Sportimage