Christian Pulisic has made slaloming through Premier League defences look like child’s play at times since becoming Chelsea’s most expensive outfield footballer last summer.
But while this all-American hero has ripped through Leicester, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City like a chainsaw through tissue paper, he certainly won’t be relishing the prospect of lining up against one of his oldest and closest friends next season.
According to CBS Sports, another USA international in the shape of Weston McKennie has emerged as a £20 million target for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United and Everton.
Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, is hoping for a favour from his a pal of his own.
David Wagner, as you might have heard, was the best man at Klopp’s wedding. And the Liverpool boss would certainly owe his Schalke counterpart a stein or two if the £20 million-rated McKennie ends up at Anfield rather than Goodison Park (90Min).
But while this most versatile of 21-year-olds might be something of a mystery to many a Premier League player, Pulisic knows exactly what to expect.
After all, he has shared a pitch with McKennie, a central midfielder who can play at wide or at the back, for almost a decade.
“Weston’s a really big dominant presence,” the £58 million pocket rocket told the Bundesliga’s official website last year, having played alongside McKennie for the USMNT and against him in the Revierderby.
“He’s really good at winning balls. He wins everything. He’s also good with the ball, whereas I’m not as much of a ball winner but more of a creator and dribbler. I think [we’ve] worked really well together.”
Whether McKennie swaps crisis-club Schalke for Wolves, Liverpool, Newcastle or Everton, all that brotherly love will be put to one side whenever Pulisic and Chelsea come to town.
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