Christian Pulisic reveals Thomas Tuchel plans to use him as ‘false striker’ for Chelsea

Pulisic has been reunited with the man who kick-started his senior career at Borussia Dortmund

Nick Purewal
Wednesday 03 February 2021 09:33 GMT
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Pulisic has worked with Tuchel before
Pulisic has worked with Tuchel before (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

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Christian Pulisic has revealed Thomas Tuchel's plans to deploy him as a false nine in the German's Chelsea revolution.

Pulisic has been reunited with the man who kick-started his senior career at Borussia Dortmund as Tuchel has taken the Stamford Bridge helm.

The USA forward stepped off the bench and conjured a cute assist for Marcos Alonso's stunning volley as Chelsea drove past Burnley 2-0 in Sunday's Premier League clash in west London.

Tuchel must find a way to maximise Chelsea's abundant attacking talent, with misfiring forward Timo Werner a continued concern.

Pulisic impressed in his roving role off the bench against Burnley however, and has now lifted the lid on how Tuchel could look to blend him into the Blues' heady attacking mix.

"It's a kind of a false striker," Pulisic told the club website. "It's been good so far. We've got a new outlook on things, we have had a really good win so it's been a positive start.

"It's been some crazy times recently and just to get a win left all the guys in the changing room really excited. We have had a lot of fun in training and there are smiles on faces which is good to see."

Tuchel swept into west London last week to replace the sacked Frank Lampard, with Chelsea's record goalscorer dismissed after less than 18 months in charge.

Former Paris Saint-Germain and Dortmund boss Tuchel has linked back up with Pulisic, and his old PSG defender Thiago Silva with the Blues.

Chelsea laboured to a goalless draw with Wolves last Wednesday, but Sunday's 2-0 win over Burnley offered hope for a return to more positive and clinical attacking play.

The Blues will take on bitter rivals Tottenham in north London on Thursday, bidding to push themselves closer towards the Premier League's top four.

And Pulisic insists Tuchel's men are excited about taking on Jose Mourinho's Spurs.

"It's a good time to play them coming off a good result for us," Pulisic added.

"We're feeling confident. We're really excited. It's a good chance to make a statement and most importantly really build some momentum. We know what a good result against a good team could do for us."

PA

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