The USMNT star is reportedly set to sign a new deal with Milan, which would be the best possible choice for his career
As players pulled into Milan's 125-anniversary party on Monday night, they were largely greeted with a chorus of boos. Italian fans are known to be critical, particularly in the darker moments. Milan find themselves in that circumstance, sitting a disappointing eighth in Serie A. As a result, stars such Rafael Leao, Fikayo Tomori and Theo Hernandez were heckled. Owner Gerry Cardinale got it worst of all.
Not Christian Pulisic, though. The U.S. men's national team star was instead greeted with a chorus of cheers and applause, making him one of few to receive a warm welcome from Milan's fans stationed throughout the event. It's emblematic of Pulisic's standing in Milan, where he's become beloved by many for all of the things he can do in between the lines.
For years, Pulisic found himself on that opposite side. During his time at Chelsea, he was never beloved, rarely supported, and always lacked the boost needed to be his best. He's found that better version of himself in Milan and, now, it looks like he's ready to commit to it.
Reports emerged indicating that Pulisic could be set to re-commit to Milan, adding years to his current deal – and a few bucks, too. Milan is reportedly working on a new contract that would run through 2028 with an option for 2029, and make Pulisic one of the club's highest paid players at between $4.2-5.2 million (€4-5 million).
Really, though, the question isn't so much about the contract itself – it's about a mutual statement of faith. By signing an extension with Milan, Pulisic – despite interest from elsewhere – would commit his future to the Italian club, and it would be easy to understand why.
Getty ImagesLessons from Chelsea
To be clear, calling Pulisic's time in London unsuccessful would be wildly unfair. He won a Champions League there, and you can't reach higher highs than that. Pulisic wasn't a bystander on that team, either; he was an active participant. It was his semifinal goal against the mighty Real Madrid that helped lift the Blues into that final to begin with.
Still, there were plenty of lessons learned from Pulisic's time in blue. Chief among them? The importance of support.
Pulisic never really had that at Chelsea, where his legs were seemingly cut out from under him before he ever even kicked a ball. He signed during the Maurizio Sarri era, but the Italian was gone before Pulisic even arrived. Frank Lampard never really leaned on him. Thomas Tuchel, despite the Borussia Dortmund links between the two, didn't really unleash the American either.
A series of untimely injuries played their part, no doubt, but, even when healthy, Pulisic never had the full trust of his coaches or the fanbase at large. That weighs on a player, and Pulisic has admitted it took a toll on him. Outsiders saw it, too.
“I think he has got more trust in his game, more confidence," former teammate Olivier Giroud told CBS after playing with Pulisic at both Chelsea and Milan. "He plays with more freedom and he’s playing every single game. He’s a very important player for Milan. At Chelsea, he was in competition with so many wingers."
With Milan, Pulisic has established himself as THE guy. There's a reason those fans cheered for him above everyone else, after all.
AdvertisementGettyThe man for Milan
It started last season, when Pulisic put up 12 goals and eight assists in Serie A, second on the team in both. This season, Pulisic has generally been even better, stepping up in big moments in both the league and Champions League.
Though he's currently nursing a calf injury that will keep him out until early 2025, as things stand, Pulisic leads Milan with five goals and he's tied with Leao on the assist leaderboard with four. You can add in Champions League success as well, with Pulisic putting in big shifts against Liverpool and Real Madrid when the lights were brightest.
All of this is coming despite what has otherwise been a frustrating season by Milan standards. sit eighth in Serie A, having dropped far too many points. As a result, head coach Paulo Fonseca is under fire, as are the rest of Milan's top stars as the fans demand that the Serie A giants turn things around.
Pulisic, though, is not under the same pressure. Even the notoriously-prickly Zlatan Ibrahimovic has showered him with praise, calling for Pulisic to accept his place as the face of the team for both club and country.
"He is known for being 'Captain America', but he doesn’t like to be 'Captain America'. He doesn’t maybe see himself like a superhero," Ibrahimovic said in the new Pulisic documentary on Paramount+. "He is playing low profile and with his feet on the ground. But you are 'Captain America', I don’t give a sh*t what you say, you are. If that is more pressure on you, I don’t care. It is his own fault – if you weren’t so good, we wouldn’t ask anything from you."
With success, though, comes attention.
Getty Images SportTransfer rumors swirl
You should always be suspect about reading too much into transfer rumors. They are just rumors, after all. Still, if your name is swirling, it's because somebody, somewhere is expressing interest. When a player's name is out there, change is possible.
With his success, and Milan's struggles, speculation over Pulisic's future increased. Liverpool and Manchester United were among the clubs reportedly interested. The Reds could be looking for a new star if a new contract for their current one, Mohammed Salah, doesn't come to fruition. Manchester United – well, they can use all the help they can get right now.
West Ham have been linked, too, but, realistically, that would be a step down from Milan. Despite the allure of the Premier League, and the financial power, Milan is still a top club, while the Hammers are languishing below midtable. Premier League money or no Premier League money, they are not the same.
Are there any options that could tempt Pulisic? Realistically, how many clubs out there would even make sense to consider, given his success with Milan?
AFPGrass isn't always greener
Pulisic will know this more than most: the grass isn't always greener in the Premier League. The money may be there, but you really can't put a price on comfort, can you?
A move to Liverpool could make sense for Pulisic, especially considering the club was linked to him all throughout Jurgen Klopp's tenure. This is a new era, though, and that brings no guarantees. One of Liverpool's biggest strengths at the moment is the club's depth in attack, which features Salah, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa. Even with a potential Salah departure, there are no guarantees there.
Manchester United? Very few have stepped into Old Trafford and gotten better in recent years. The club has struggled at every level, and that has trickled down to the field, where expectations have overwhelmed and overshadowed those who wear that extremely heavy red shirt every week.
Realistically, how many clubs in the world would be a step up from Milan? You can write off Chelsea – he isn't going back there. Manchester City and Arsenal, sure. Bayern Munich, sure. Maybe PSG if you want to win something. Both of the Spanish giants, of course, although both Real Madrid and Barcelona look set in the wing positions for years to come.
Pulisic has found a home with the greenest of grass, all things considered. He's landed at a huge club that supports him, on and off the field. Why give that up? Pulisic seems to understand that as he reportedly moves closer to putting pen to paper.
