I wonder is this like a "frog" on his calf muscle? In which case he is probably better already. I don't think this was the death knell for Milan's CL aspirations, but it is not looking good. Not good at all. I have never been a fan of Emerson Royal, he will have a decent game here and there that gives you hope, and then switch off at the most inopportune of times.
I am not convinced he's a clear upgrade over Calabria or even Dest. The more we him Royal, the lesser we are impressed.
SempreMilan reporting that Pulisic may be out until January ... "As we reported earlier today, the MRI scan Pulisic underwent this morning highlighted a low-grade lesion of the soleus muscle in his right calf. A new test will be carried out in a week, meaning he will miss at least the next two games. According to what is being reported by Sky, Pulisic is looking at about 15 days out. It is a period of absence that will force him to miss the Red Star game in the Champions League, but also the next league matches against Genoa (December 15) and Verona (December 20). The Rossoneri medical staff will try to get him back for the match at San Siro against Roma scheduled for December 29, but there will be no risks taken given that the Supercoppa Italiana follows that in early January. La Gazzetta dello Sport meanwhile are reporting that even more caution than usual will be needed because the calf is a very delicate area, with a risk of relapse high. Milan are not committing themselves in terms of return date, but the game against Juve scheduled for January 3 seems realistic. Pulisic will ‘almost certainly’ miss the Roma game as per La Gazzetta, contrary to what Sky say. Now Fonseca begins to (complicate) consider the best form to give his Milan in the absence of one of his best men."
His documentary is out today, I've just watched the first 15-20 min or so. Nothing groundbreaking. He confirms what everyone already knows, he hates the celebrity side of his profession and the cameras and attention off the pitch.
It sucks, but let him have the rest. He's had a hell of a run by CP standards, and YA standards in recent years, for that matter. A lot of us wondered if he'd ever get out of his injury funk, and he seems to have done that for 1.5 seasons. If he comes back in January rested and ready to go, things aren't all that bad.
Honestly I don't think it is necessary to qualify your statement. With a few notable exceptions most players miss time here and there. I honestly think his early adulthood injuries were related to his overuse in his late teens. The whole Milan first string is breaking down because they are so shallow they cannot afford to rotate players since they have dropped too many points against middlin' to bottom table teams. Tough times for old school Milan fans. I don't think Redbird Capital and the Milanista's "vison" for the club are shared. Would be a very good time for Theo and Leao to buy into being two way players and start banging goals on the regular.
Must old school fans I think have gotten use to current situation. Club will never return to old glories. It's unfortunate but the truth. Winning the league every 7 or 8 years seems likely
New contract coming: Fabrizio Romano (MIRROR) @fabrizioromano.yopro20.com AC Milan are closing in on new deal for Christian Pulisic after excellent season again. New contract valid until June 2028 plus one more year as option or straight to 2029. Pulisic will be among the best paid players at Milan, around €4/5m net per year.
Agreed... he has played a lot and a bit of an extended winter break might not be the worst thing. That being said.... CP himself says that his success at Milan is largely due to his consistent playing time. He has been Milan's most consistent offensive threat for a while now. So it is a bit of a bummer that he won't be able to ride that momentum. After he is healed he will have to come back and get in a groove all over again. <crossing-fingers> Couldn't have come at a worse time for Milan. Sitting outside the Euro slots and chalk full of injuries.
Meh, that sort of depends on how long he is out. If it is just until the first of the year, he should hit the ground running. He had been showing some signs of fatigue since he came back from the last international break and needed a break. He usually gets up for big games and starts fast. Milan are at the place that every game is a big game. I think the secret to his success has been Milan share the same vision for him as a player, as he sees for himself. They believe in him and have confidence in his abilities. I don't think he feels the pressure to make something happen and the need to force the issue to get minutes. It shows in his play, he is enjoying himself.
Poor game, loosing points at home to a bottom team. Just don't see how they're going to finish top 4 this season. Is Fonseca going to have a chance at a second season at Milan?
Those two dropped points hurt, but if Theo decides to wake up and play football it was worth it. They are also very deep into their roster before Theo being benched. They absolutely need another player or two in the window. Preferably a fullback and another CM. The damage has long been done. Last summer when they failed to shore up the defense, find a midfielder and signed Morata, was the first part, and then early on dropping points from winning positions sealed the deal on the scudetto. I think Redbird gave up on the Scudetto for this season a long time ago. I do believe they thought they had enough to make CL. They failed to factor in a lackluster start by Rafa, and a total throwing down of his tools by Theo. Add Chuk not doing much of substance and a CP injury and they might be out of contention for a CL spot by the middle of January. If that ends up the case, then I believe the circumstances will require Fonseca to be the scape goat. I really don't think it is Paulo's fault. Rather the problem of not having enough quality choices when a key guy gets hurt, but it isn't like Redbird is going to say oops our bad, you get a do over.
Pulisic included at #95 in the Guardian’s top 100 male players in world in 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...e-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2024