Christian Pulisic

Christian Pulisic
Image from: freelargeimages.com

Christian Mate Pulisic


Current Club: Borussia Dortmund.
Previous Clubs: Pennysylvania Classics.
Loan Clubs: N/A.


International: USA 21 caps 9 goals.
Trophies Won: German Cup 2016/17. US Footballer of the Year 2017.


Christian Pulisic has grown up in an environment which has helped develop him into a natural athlete. Having parents that are both professional sports coaches has definitely been good for him, as they have guided him and moulded him in his early days, which has left the lad with a calm head on his shoulders and the wherewithal to look long term to his own personal development as a player.

That is why he is still at Dortmund, when many others, knowing the opportunities available to him, would have forced their way out to get a big money move. Instead Pulisic is content to bide his time, for now at least, at continue to get regular game time with Dortmund. Though it can only be a matter of time before he feels ready for the next step up.

As a player he shows good intelligence, timing his runs well, with a liking for the late runs to break through onto a ball using his pace. And Pulisic does have pace. He is clearly a natural athlete who has a burst of pace to get him clear of defenders, with a lovely touch of the ball and excellent close control allied to a bit of skill. When he runs with the ball, he keeps it very tight in to his feet, so he can use his quick feet to whip it away from a defender.

One of the keys to his effectiveness is his ability to strike the ball with control, rather than thrashing it aimlessly. Pulisic does not look to smash his cross or shot, he almost strokes the ball, trying to be precise, rather than just hitting and hoping it will go where he wants it. Shots he looks to place into the corner of the net, showing decent composure with his shooting.

One thing that makes him dangerous when running with the ball is his strength. Unlike many players these days, he does not throw himself to the ground if someone brushes past him. Pulisic has the strength to brush off a challenge and take the ball past a defender, so that he can utilise it to create an opportunity. Aerially it is difficult to judge him as I have not seen enough of him heading the ball.

For a 19 year old, he is very mature but still lacks the consistency that an older player with experience has. That is probably his biggest problem, that lack of consistency, which could otherwise raise him up to a position where he is competing with the likes of Kylian Mbappe as the top teenage talent. Right now he is a level or two below the French teen.