How will the USMNT fare against Mexico and Jamaica without Christian Pulisic in World Cup qualifiers next month?
Maybe we won’t have to find out.
The Blues had their American winger back in training on Thursday, bringing fresh hope that Pulisic will see his first club action since late August and first USMNT time since September.
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Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel had said the 23-year-old Pulisic was having trouble getting past a certain part in his rehabilitation thanks to a particular sticking point with pain and this is a terrific sign that he might’ve hit the tipping point.
His national team needs this progress because fellow string-puller Giovanni Reyna is unlikely to be ready for November and Chelsea welcomes this news because Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner are also out and heaping big minutes on a lower number of forwards.
What’s it mean playing time-wise and when? Read on…
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What does this mean for the USMNT and Chelsea?
Christian Pulisic is a difference-maker when healthy, even in limited use.
The United States still has two weeks until their next qualifier and Pulisic’s return to training could line him up for Chelsea minutes soon.
The Blues will slowly work him back into the lineup, though it sounds like he’s been able to work on other forms of fitness and there should be plenty of lower-risk chances with Newcastle, Malmo, and Burnley all on the docket before the international break.
We’re not saying Pulisic will be ready or even sanction (by Chelsea) for 180 USMNT minutes in one week, but it’s not crazy to think he could appear in both qualifiers and maybe even get bigger minutes in one if he responds well to training and gets a sub appearance or two for the Blues along the way.
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Christian Pulisic training with Chelsea in welcome news for Blues, USMNT originally appeared on NBCSports.com