Christian Pulisic is playing at the highest level for Chelsea FC

The 21-year-old American attacker has been playing with confidence, determination and purpose - helping Chelsea maintain a Champions League spot in the process

Since Project Restart and the return of the Premier League, Christian Pulisic has simply been - outstanding. The 21-year-old American attacker has been playing with confidence, determination, and purpose - helping Chelsea maintain a Champions League spot in the process. There is an energy to his game that can’t be taught. A direct though also creative no-nonsense style that terrifies opposing defenders. When Pulisic gets the ball, his only intention is to drive towards you and make you second guess which turn is next. And by the time you make a decision - you’ve already made a mistake.

It’s a refreshing style and one his manager Frank Lampard knows too well, having played with someone who has made a career out of creating havoc on the wing - the Belgian Eden Hazard. When comparing the two, Lampard didn’t want to get too carried away but can see what we’re seeing.

“Eden had a special talent straightaway of being able to receive the ball, show great balance and go past players. He would draw a lot of players towards him to open up space for others. He was pretty unselfish with making assists that way. Christian is possibly more direct in his style sometimes, in terms of how he goes past players and runs off the ball, which I like. He has a real ability to break a line and run forward. That’s a great trait in the modern game.” 

It’s never fair to compare two players nor predict what the outcome will be in terms of their future. But one thing is for certain, Christian Pulisic - in his first season in the Premier League - is showing us that he’s more than ready to live up to expectation. And then exceed it.