Christian Pulisic could reach even greater heights at AC Milan this season

Last season was the best season of Christian Pulisic’s career. The American winger finished with 15 goals and nine assists in all competitions for AC Milan as he put the struggles of his Chelsea days behind him to become of the most impactful players in Serie A. Pulisic is finally fulfilling the potential that was clear in him from a young age.

This season could see Pulisic surpass the standard he set for himself in his debut season at San Siro. While the winger had an individually successful campaign last term, AC Milan struggled. The Rossoneri finished second in the Serie A table, but were never a factor in the race for the Scudetto. Inter strolled to the title.

In Europe, AC Milan crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage after landing in a group that included two eventual semi-finalists and Newcastle United. The Europa League presented them with an opportunity to lift some silverware, but Pulisic and co. fell to Roma in the competition’s quarter-finals.

Ultimately, Stefano Pioli paid for this season of stagnation with his job, departing San Siro this summer. He has since been replaced by Paulo Fonseca who arrives at AC Milan as one of the most exciting coaches in Europe. Fonseca had been waiting for an opportunity at an elite club and the Rossoneri have given him just that.

Fonseca could be the perfect figure to get even more out of Pulisic. The Portuguese coach favours a high-intensity, high-energy approach. He wants his players to be aggressive out of possession and to win the ball high up the pitch in order to give his attackers opportunities in counter-pressing moments.

In theory, this means Pulisic will be in better positions to score goals and create chances. Fonseca traditionally wants his wide players to pinch inside which is another thing that could suit Pulisic, such is his comfortability in central areas. The new AC Milan manager has already spoken about how this could facilitate a position change.

“I don’t know if in our structure we can speak about a No. 10, but [Pulisic] can play in that position,” said Fonseca when asked about which attacker could play centrally in his favoured 4-2-3-1 shape. “We have other players who can play, [Ruben Loftus-Cheek] can play in that position. But yes, Christian has characteristics to play in this part of the pitch.”

AC Milan have been quiet in this summer’s transfer window. Alvaro Morata has arrived fresh from leading Spain to glory at Euro 2024. The centre forward will give the Rossoneri a new attacking focal point after the departure of Olivier Giroud to Los Angeles FC, but he is the San Siro outfit’s only new addition so far.

12 months ago, though, Pulisic arrived at San Siro along with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Yunus Musah, Samuel Chukwueze and Tijjani Reijnders also joining. AC Milan boast one of the strongest squads in Serie A, giving Fonseca plenty to work with as he moulds the Rossoneri in his own image. Pulisic is one player who could thrive.

“It’s not easy for a foreigner to arrive in their first year and perform like Christian did because it’s difficult for a player like him to find space in Italy,” said Fonseca about Pulisic, highlighting the individual success enjoyed by the American in his first season as an AC Milan player. “So if he did so well in the first year, I believe he can do better in the second year.”

American soccer fans have long demanded a lot of Pulisic. His breakthrough as a young player at Borussia Dortmund hinted at the player he could one day become and the move to AC Milan has helped him reach maturity in a way that wasn’t possible for him at Chelsea. It’s an environment where the USMNT winger has grown. Next season could be what Pulisic has been working towards.