Chelsea transfer news: Christian Pulisic wants to emulate Eden Hazard with Belgian expected to join Real Madrid

The USA international arrives at Stamford Bridge after a £58 million move from Borussia Dortmund

Jack Rathborn
Wednesday 22 May 2019 07:50 BST
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Christian Pulisic hopes to match Eden Hazard's success at Chelsea ahead of his move to Stamford Bridge this summer and still hopes to be the Belgian's team-mate next season.

The 20-year-old moves from Borussia Dortmund in a £58 million deal after completing a six-month loan at the Bundesliga club following the January deal.

The USA international has penned a five-and-a-half year contract and has been labelled as a replacement for Hazard, who has been strongly linked to Real Madrid.

Pulisic wants to emulate Hazard's impact in London, even if the 28-year-old stays with the club.

"It is incredible to see what Eden can do," he told BBC Sport. "He is a guy to look up to and what I would love to become.

"It is definitely a goal. Any player would be dumb not to want to be in the same team as him."

Speaking to the club's official website, Pulisic added: "Eden is a fantastic player, we all know that and if I can get anywhere close to that I will be happy.

"He is a great player. I want to come in, be my own player, and do the best that I can do."

Pulisic briefly moved to England as a child and had a stint at non-league side Brackley as a seven-year-old.

And the forward spoke about how those experiences helped push him to fulfil his dream of playing in Europe, and more notably in the Premier League.

"I just remember going to a few big games around the Premier League with my dad," he added. "I remember coming to a Chelsea game and games at a few other Premier League clubs.

Christian Pulisic in action against Spurs
Christian Pulisic in action against Spurs (Getty)

"I always wanted to play professionally, especially in Europe. And the Premier League was what I was able to watch growing up in the US, and it is always where I wanted to be.

"Now I just felt that it was the right step [to join Chelsea]. It was a great time in Dortmund but it was a feeling and I still have that.

"This is the biggest stage, it is incredible to come in and be in England and part of this league. If you want to prove yourself it is the greatest stage to be on."

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