Chelsea opinion: 3 ways Chelsea can lineup with Christian Pulisic

There is a lot of tension at Stamford Bridge with regards to reinforcements in the summer after FIFA handed Chelsea a transfer ban for the next two windows.

The Blues have had an up and down season so far and are now fighting for a place in the top four. Chelsea’s hope of strengthening their squad for next season now hangs in the balance but the biggest boon that Chelsea have is the signing of Christian Pulisic in January.

The Blues signed the American for £58million in the winter transfer window but loaned him back to Borussia Dortmund until the end of the season.

Pulisic’s signing was registered by Chelsea before their ban was imposed, which makes the exciting young winger eligible to play for them next season.

Here are 3 ways how Chelsea could line up with Pulisic in their squad:

As a left winger in a 4-3-3

Maurizio Sarri, in his time at Napoli, played a number of games without a natural number 9 in his squad. The Italian can do the same at Chelsea with a front three of Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eden Hazard.

Pulisic and Hudson-Odoi both possess incredible pace down the wings and both of them are capable of linking up with a centre forward to get in behind the opposition defenders.

Hazard would be a phenomenal false 9 in this formation and the Belgian dropping into his own half to receive the ball could attract an opposition defender with him, which in turn will give tons of space for Pulisic and Hudson-Odoi to utilise in the final third.

As an attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1

Pulisic would thrive in a number 10 role at Chelsea, especially with willing runners like Eden Hazard and Willian on either wing. Pulisic can also switch positions with either of the wingers mid-game, which would keep the opposition guessing.

Pulisic could also get a lot of support from Olivier Giroud, whose incredible ability to hold the ball up would allow the American to make his runs. Giroud’s brilliant flicks in and around the box would suit Pulisic’s style of play and the Blues could walk the ball in with quick passes.

As a right-forward in a 3-4-3

Maurizio Sarri doesn’t normally play a back-three formation but Chelsea achieved great things with this system before. Antonio Conte used the combination of wing-backs and the wide forwards to cause serious damage to the opposition and Sarri should have this as an option too.

Pulisic as a right-forward just behind the returning Alvaro Morato could be a dangerous prospect for any defence to deal with. The Dortmund man’s pace and dribbling skills could be used to Chelsea’s benefit on the right flank and his runs inside of the opposition could prove to be one of the Blues’ biggest strengths.

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Pulisic’s runs on the inside of the defender from the right would also open up a lot of space for Cesar Azpilicueta whose crosses could feed the likes of Morata or Giroud.