Pulisic and Werner when they were kids... pic.twitter.com/Y90tIRZEfx— Football Mumble (@football_mumble) April 7, 2021
I did find it odd though, it looked like Tuchel was expecting a hug. After Pulisic ran past him he turned, walked away, and sat down.
pulisic used to teutonic stoicism and thought better of physical contact, but tuchel is on his own journey of personal growth and needs to do a better job signaling his interest in participating in said display of affection
From a distance (i.e. from my vantage point, via television) Tuchel doesn't seem to be someone who puts out that "I'd love a hug" vibe.
like i said, he is trying. but being embedded now in a stiff upper lip english folkway is going to present challenges of their own
Couple of thoughts: 1. All the Mason Mount angst puzzles me. The USA has a Mason Mount, you know, he plays at Juve and we are all very high on his prospects. 2. Yesterday's game is finally a perfect example of why player ratings are largely meaningless. Imagine this: Everything stays exactly the same . . . except Timo converts that great chance from CP's header. Suddenly Chelsea win, are a goal up (with two away goals) and Christian "created" both (goal and assist). As good as Kante was, 2-1 is more about the offense while 1-1 is more about the defense. I guarantee you CP wins "Man of the Match". HOWEVER - in the above scenario, both Kanta and CP play the exact same in both games. The only difference is Timo's finishing. Like I keep saying, we take these ratings far too seriously.
Speaking of ratings, SkySports gave Pulisic an 8/10. https://www.skysports.com/football/real-madrid-vs-chelsea/442563
I agree I also like to compare Mount and Weston. Mount has a better shot and Weston is more physical but similar ideas and roles. That said Mount is just the over hyped but still very good English golden boy right now so even his mediocre games are deemed brilliant by English fans and media. I'm sure in a year or two he and Chelsea will have a bad run and things will turn. It can seem unfair to Pulisic but ultimately it's the coaches opinion that matters and not the press. It's just part of the hype cycle.
Mason is not at all overhyped. He’s been Chelsea’s most consistent player for two seasons. The people with the issue are the Yanks fans who think there’s some competition between Mason and Pulisic as you imply by saying that Pulisic has been unfairly treated due to the English media’s treatment of Mount. It just isn’t true and if anything the English media has been favorable to Pulisic even when he’s been benched, injured, or out of form. The English love his direct style of play.
Actually pretty smart as a lot of times even one player is so different that he changes everything. Bringing in a line change with pieces that fit is what every coach should be doing with five subs available.
That is not my take at all. I think Mount has been their most consistent player, but his play has not been at the level Chelsea and England fans seem to think it has been. I like him a lot as a player, but his work rate, consistency and powerful (but not overly accurate) shot give the impression he is better than he is.
Yep, anyone remember Danny Murphy and the English pundits slobbering over the simplest of touches? Same scenario here, only with a better club and better player. Mount deserves significant praise, of course, but it is so far out of whack it’s comical.
From the article: " Pulisic became the youngest Chelsea player to score in a semi-final match in UEFA Champions League history (22y 221d). "
The ratings are unreliable. I guess I don't take issue to Kante getting the best score because he played the full 90 and it was the best game I have seen him play by quite a margin in ages. But you are correct... if Werner could actually beat a keeper one-v-one then CP is MOTM and has at least 3 additional assists on the season.
it seems like it actually is your take, at least somewhat. You agree he’s been Chelsea’s most consistent player. You have some quibble beyond that. Ok...not sure where the daylight is between accepting he’s the best player on Chelsea but still thinking he’s somehow overrated. he’s homegrown and English. Of course they love him, and there’s nothing wrong with it. It also has nothing to do with Pulisic.
i also think he has been chelseas most consistent player, but i dont think hes their best one, just the most consistent. re: mckennie mount is a better shooter, but also shoots way too much and doesnt have the passing creativity of weston.
Not really a big disagreement here I just think some solid (6 or 7 rated) recent Mount performances the past 2 weeks. Have been deemed brilliant (8 or 9). This due to his consistency over the past 2 years and the excitement for his overall potential. He was fine against West Ham and and Real Madrid but frequently listed as among the best performers by fans. It probably is more the fans and commentators than the media though.
I think Mount has developed well as a mid. I think there was some deserved criticism when Lampard was playing him at wing over Pulisic (I think in hindsight it was not that much but it seemed like it at the time) but since that experiment stopped the criticism has as well. Of course I also think Lampard tried too hard to force certain guys into the lineup but that is a different discussion
Mason and Pulisic are completely different players and I think people who thought one was played in place of the other were mistaken. Willian, Pedro, CHO were competing with Pulisic for time last year.