It was a vision as clear as the warm water at the luxury Maldives beach resort where Stefano Pioli was vacationing. Still enjoying his summer break, AC Milan’s manager made a call to explain carefully what he wanted from his new signing.
Listening on the other end of the line was Christian Pulisic, relishing in the request. He was charged with transforming Milan’s faltering attack through his ability to thrive in tight spaces and punish opposing defenders one-versus-one. He was signed to bring an X-factor.
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There was an element of risk for both parties. Pulisic had never truly established himself at Chelsea. Had the fitful game time he endured at Stamford Bridge taken a toll on his fitness and self-belief? Likewise, was it realistic to expect a club who finished 20 points behind Serie A winners Napoli to step back into prominence?
Seven months later, the answers are emphatically “no” and, thanks in no small part to Pulisic’s sublime contributions, “yes”.
Primarily used on the right of a forward three operating behind a center forward, either Olivier Giroud or Noah Okafor, the USMNT international can point to two welcome factors behind his resurgence: consistent selection and form.
Now with the U.S. for Thursday’s CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against Jamaica in Arlington, Texas, Pulisic has 12 goals and eight assists across 39 appearances in all competitions for Milan. He made history in the club’s 3-1 win against Hellas Verona on Sunday, scoring Milan’s 5,000th goal in Italy’s top flight and adding his name to a milestone list that most recently included club hero Kaka, who notched their 4,000th in 2007.
Signing off for the international break with four goals in four consecutive games, he also cemented his overall place as Milan’s most prolific attacking right-winger of the last decade. His 12 goals are more than Suso (who managed eight in each of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons) and Junior Messias (six in each of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons).
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“He has quality, intensity and willingness,” said Pioli in December as he reflected on Pulisic’s goal in a 1-0 home win over Sassuolo. “He’s scoring a lot, too, which isn’t always easy for a winger.”
Pulisic’s electric form is proving difficult for opponents to handle. He has already drawn three red cards from opponents in two games, provoking death threats online after two Lazio players were given their marching orders for fouling him in Milan’s 1-0 win at Stadio Olimpico on March 1. That prompted teammate Theo Hernandez to post: “Puliiiii I am your security” on Instagram. Even if he was only being semi-serious, it is indicative of a close-knit squad who value Pulisic as a teammate and friend.
People close to the squad have noted the 25-year-old’s swift integration since August, helped by USMNT teammate Yunus Musah — another summer recruit after joining from Valencia — who spent part of his childhood in Italy and speaks the language fluently.
Pulisic’s friend and U.S. teammate Weston McKennie, another Serie A resurrection story this season at Juventus, has also played a part in helping him feel at home.
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There are familiar faces across the dressing room in San Siro. Former Chelsea teammates Giroud and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have also been successful recruits and enhanced the reputation of Milan chief executive Giorgio Furlani for “Moneyball“-style shrewd business. Milan have some exciting attacking players waiting in the wings and Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze, whose reduced minutes are partially down to Pulisic’s consistency, admits the American is tough to dislodge.
Reflecting on his early months at the club following his move from Villarreal in July, he said: “They were not easy as the person who plays in my position (Pulisic) is doing well and scoring many goals.
“The coach can’t put him on the bench, but I continue to work.”
Pulisic continues to add value off the field, too. His shirt instantly became Milan’s best-seller following his move from Chelsea.
There was a 75 percent increase in the number of Milan jerseys sold compared to a standard equivalent period in previous years. In the United States, the sales uplift was 713 percent as American buyers represented 43 percent of the total Milan shirts sold (up from nine percent). Americans are flocking to San Siro like never before. The number is up 148 percent on the same stage last season.
Pulisic is helping Milan and Serie A build their profiles in North America. The club made sure to sign him in time to participate in games against Real Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and Juventus at LA Galaxy’s Dignity Health Sports Park last summer to make full use of his draw.
Back in the U.S. on international duty, the player nicknamed Captain America is focused on what happens on the pitch and helping the USMNT progress.
In Europe, he has already helped himself.
(Top photo: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)