I suspect the Premier League cares more about money than these things, so if they go with a smaller bid to avoid undesirables, it'll only be because they think the financial hit of welcoming another one into the ranks will be greater than the financial benefit.
Not surprised, During the losing streak he was typically without both starting wing backs and at least 2 of the his 3 CMs. He maybe should have adapted better but was always likely to turn things around once the midfield got healthy.
No doubt, I had that exact sentiment typed out and expressed, but was more focused on the news piece of it. The only reason they will scrutinize bids in this fashion is due to public pressure.
Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't flag this excellent, introspective analysis from Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher from last night which touches on the subject Tallavana and I just referenced (the sale of Chelsea). Separately, worth noting that in his press conference today Tuchel mentioned that Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi will face fitness tests for Lille, but Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta are both available, so hopefully Pulisic will be able to play higher up the field.
Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale from Bush, and a Wilson brother are all in this picture, which I’ve never noticed before.
Interestingly the only player mentioned by name in the prospectus given prospective buyers is Christian Pulisic according to the Athletic. https://theathletic.com/3174757/202...vich-stamford-bridge-redevelopment-club-sale/ Obviously because they are targeting American buyers, but just a hint of the off field value Pulisic has to Chelsea.
Pulisic with the start. Looks like a 3-5-2 with Puli up top with Havertz. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2033911--losc-vs-chelsea/
Assuming Lille need to attack there should be some good chances to score on the counter if Kante or Kovacic are able to make some surging runs forward. If Lille are more cautious it could be a boring day at the office.
Looks like a 3-1-4-2 to me. Jorgie will sit on top of the back 3 to provide additional defensive coverage Alonso and Azpi will spend a lot of time attacking from the wings Pulisic and Havertz up front is a lethal attacking combination.
This is perhaps more negative than anything Diego Simeone could have come up with in terms of line up
Pulisic scores to tie the match just before the end of the half. Really nice finish. .@ChampionsLeague goal No. 7️⃣ for @cpulisic_10 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/vPKTEurnG5— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) March 16, 2022
Wasn't it just a few weeks ago folks were saying he should transfer to Newcastle? Christian Pulisic has now scored the same amount of UCL goals as Eden Hazard 👀 pic.twitter.com/xbUtYVA73L— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 16, 2022
Without looking, I'm sure they were. If we went through and compiled all the examples of criticism or handwringing about Pulisic that looked dubious later, it would probably be about 75% as long as the entire thread. I seem to remember someone saying, pretty recently, that he consistently fails to produce in important games (a category that excludes CL knockout rounds, I guess).
All the more bizarre given the guy's record is basically the exact opposite? Already a bunch of big goals for the USMNT (qualifiers this and last game, Nation's League final, a bunch of big CL and league games, etc. ..)
Huge props to puli. That was a sick finish on his only chance of the night really Def think weston woulda made a difference. Sucks
I'm not sure this statistic is correct, although Pulisic is shockingly close. I think Hazard only has 9, compared to 7 for Pulisic. I've seen Chelsea fans note today that both Mount and Pulisic have now played more matches for them in the Champions League knockout rounds than Hazard. Just like the goals stats, its a sign that Chelsea definitely underachieved in the Hazard years in CL.
Pulisic's game seems to be maturing nicely. No, he is not as flashy anymore. But he appears to be more efficient in everything he does. He's more accurate with his shots and passing, plus his dribbling success percentage seems to have improved.
I may be reading into things that don’t exist but puli seems to be a changed player after that last Canada game and those comments to the press he had about not playing hero ball any more. Whether it was ggg benching him or someone else having a heart to heart with him or him just figuring stuff out, who knows. In any event, dude looks much more relaxed on the field lately. He was always so wound up that it looked like he was going to explode at any moment. I really like his demeanor now and hope it keeps up.
There is an excellent ESPN+ article that's specificially about what was (analytically) going on with Christian during his little slump, and it also talked in general about how attacking players go from dribble/flashy players to more holistic players, who are actually more productive and generally effective players, as they age. Seems like we're watching the evolution happen in real time with Pulisic - at least the club level. Think he still feels a ton of pressure to be that dynamic dribbling attacker for the USMNT. The game he's developing now, is sustainable for another 10 years, because it's not relient on him beating people with pace, or flying up the pitch on counters. It's about passing, vision, running off the ball, close space control, occasionally beating a man off the dribble, and dribbling. But the real work happens off the ball and then being considered a highly dangerous passer by defenders he faces