Don Hutchison says Christian Pulisic is ‘weak’ off the ball for Chelsea amid transfer rumours that Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United want to sign him.
The USA international is currently injured, but Hutchison suggested that the winger isn’t good enough for Graham Potter’s struggling tenth-placed side.
Back in the summer, there was talk of Pulisic leaving Chelsea and earning regular game time, especially with the World Cup coming up.
Newcastle United’s name was being thrown about, but the 24-year-old stayed put, and whilst he was starting to earn starts under Potter after Thomas Tuchel’s sacking, he still should have moved.
Well, with the Magpies currently sitting in the Champions League places and in with a big chance of finishing above Chelsea this season, the League Cup semi-finalists are still keen on the player.
When talking about Chelsea’s struggles, Hutchison spoke about a number of senior players that just need to leave Stamford Bridge and how the ‘talented’ Pulisic could be one of them, as he told ESPN.
“The trouble now with Potter when he is sitting there with his coaching staff and the analysis (team), where they are looking at everything,” said Hutchison. “They probably thinking ‘we could do with probably letting about six or seven first-team players go’. They are not good enough and not what I want.
“You can’t do it. It’s impossible because you are sitting in tenth. You need them. You need replacement before you move those players on. He hasn’t got time for that.
“Christian Pulisic is a talented player. All these players are talented players. Don’t get me wrong because they play for their countries and they play for Chelsea. And they play in the Premier League.
“But, off the ball, Christian Pulisic is weak. Aubameyang, weak. Hakim Ziyech, who started at the World Cup, weak. You can’t carry players.”
PULISIC SHOULD JUMP AT THE CHANCE OF MOVING TO NEWCASTLE
The former Borussia Dortmund star can play on either flank and he is a player that could become a goalscorer out wide for Eddie Howe’s side.
With less than 18 months on his contract, if Newcastle are to push for his talents, then they are best off waiting until the summer because the transfer fee on his head will be a lot less.
Now, unless he does a madness from now until the end of the season, it’s more than likely that Pulisic will now leave.
And if Newcastle do come knocking, with possibly Champions League football to their name, then Pulisic should jump at the chance of signing for the club.
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