Chelsea fans have expressed their dissatisfaction with manager Frank Lampard for the manner in which he is handling USMNT star Christian Pulisic. Against Lille in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League group stage encounter, the 21-year-old playmaker was omitted entirely from the matchday squad, a development which has generated an uproar from some supporters on social media.
Pulisic completed a switch from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea this summer in a transfer worth $73 million but his yet to take the Premier League by storm despite being highly-rated. The most expensive American football player of all time has managed just six appearances for the Blues in all competitions and is yet to bag his first goal for the side.
In retrospect, the playing chances of Pulisic has been quite limited as he has managed just one appearance across all competitions since August. The former BVB star was deployed in the 7-1 mauling of Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup but had to assume a position on the bench in games against Wolves, Valencia, Liverpool, and Brighton.
In the midweek's European cup tie with Lille, the forward was amiss from Chelsea's squad list entirely with Frank Lampard opting for an attacking setup comprising of Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Willian. Recently, the English manager was questioned about Pulisic's under-utilization of which he explained the American star needed time to adapt to life in England.
Nevertheless, fans of his side believe that Pulisic deserves a role bigger than what he has been reduced to in recent times. Below are a few reactions:
Christian Pulisic not even on the bench pretty much confirms it was nothing more than a market signing to make more money in the USA. In my opinion, there is a player in there but he isn't even being given a consistent chance, he has UCL experience, there isn't an excuse anymore.
— Pys (@CFCPys) October 2, 2019
Fatpard today:
— M (@TacticalCFC) October 2, 2019
Rushing Kante back from injury again
Pulisic not even on bench
Defensive system vs weakest team in group
Mount starting on wing when we have 4 real wingers
Shambles
Keeping Pulisic fresh for Carabao Campaign #FreePulisic https://t.co/3hLpAShF7V
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) October 2, 2019
What does Willian do, that makes him deserving of a start over Pulisic?
— FutbolChelsea (@FutbolCheIsea) October 2, 2019
What does Mount do, that makes him deserving of a start over Pulisic?
What does Pedro do, that makes him deserving of a start over Pulisic?
I wrote "Pulisic on the bench" in my initial tweet assuming that's where he was when I saw the XI. So yeah, I'm surprised & disappointed he isn't even included.
— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) October 2, 2019
With that said, is anyone going to talk about anything else? Time to accept he's not a big part of the team right now.
If Pulisic couldn't even get into this squad against Lille with Lampard picking both Giroud and Batshuayi on the bench, I honestly think he will end up on loan in the summer.
— . (@Chelsea_Based1) October 2, 2019
Young man with that much talent doesn't deserve to be not playing, a loan would be best for everyone.
Mount plays in this team because he understands the system better than Pulisic. Also Mount works REALLY REALLY hard. BUT WILLIAN? Pulisic NEEDS to be starting over him ASAP.
— Ican Kudivo-Sessy (@IcanKudivo) October 2, 2019
