In recent weeks, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino voiced concerns over the playing time Christian Pulisic receives at AC Milan. He suggested that the winger’s heavy workload could take a toll on his fitness. However, statistics reveal that these worries may be overblown. In fact, Pulisic is not among the top players in Serie A when it comes to total minutes played. Despite this, Pochettino’s comments have sparked a debate about player fatigue. In addition, about the challenges of balancing club and international duties for top-level athletes.
Pochettino, who was just named manager of the US national soccer team, voiced his displeasure with Christian Pulisic’s playing time. Particularly, as the winger continues to make an impression at AC Milan this season. The 26-year-old forward has been in stellar form, notching six goals and two assists in nine games across all competitions. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the USMNT’s matches, the Argentine manager said that while he was thrilled with Pulisic’s performances. However, he was wary of the potential for overplaying the talented forward.
“He’s playing every single game, every single minute, something that we are a little bit worried about,” Pochettino stated. “Sometimes we need to protect [players] because he arrived a little bit tired. But that’s something I’ve spoken about before, to be in a very good relationship with the club.”
“We see because he arrived a little bit tired. That is a thing that I told him before—to build a very good relationship with the club and try to help. When we really need him, he needs to be in form, happy, strong, and the quality is there because he has an enormous talent.”
Pulisic numbers tell different story for Pochettino
Pochettino’s concerns about Pulisic’s workload seem valid at first glance. Yet, the actual data on Pulisic’s minutes played in Serie A paints a less alarming picture. La Gazzetta dello Sport say…
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Author : Martina Alcheva
Publish date : 2024-10-13 21:03:57
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The post Pulisic’s data dispels Pochettino’s overplaying fears first appeared on Foot & Soccer.
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Author : footsoccer
Publish date : 2024-10-13 21:06:51
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