Pulisic admits Chelsea season 'really tough' ahead of CNL - ESPN

United States midfielder Christian Pulisic admitted that his 2022-23 club season with Chelsea was «really tough.»

Pulisic spoke with reporters on Monday from Carson, California, where the USMNT is training ahead of its June 15 CNL semifinal versus Mexico, and said he's eager to get on the field with the national team and get back to «being that confident player I know I can be.»

Statistically speaking, the just concluded club season was easily the most difficult of Pulisic's tenure with the Blues. He recorded just 813 minutes in league play, his lowest mark since he broke in with Borussia Dortmund back in the 2015-16 season. Even on a per 90-minute basis, Pulisic's touches (45.98), goals (0.1), expected goals (0.14), shots (1.75) and shots on target percentage (27 percent), were all substantially lower than previous campaigns with Chelsea.

«It's been a really tough season for me personally and for our team of course at a club level,» Pulisic said during media availability with the USMNT. «So for me it's just about coming in here and having a fresh start and being able to be a part of a team that hopefully can come out and win some games. So I'm really excited to be here and just to get some minutes on the field and just get back to being that confident player that I know I can be in and just find my footing again and just enjoying the game because it feels like it's been tough to do that lately.»

Pulisic's diminishing role with Chelsea, plus the glut of players on the Blues' roster brought in since new owner Todd Boehly arrived, has given the impression that he'll be switching clubs during the summer. Sources have told ESPN that Juventus is one likely destination for the 24-year-old, but he insisted that the national