It has been a difficult season for most everyone at Chelsea FC, but it has been especially tough going for winger Christian Pulisic.
The 2022/23 campaign began with high expectations for Pulisic and Chelsea. But the Blues sit 11th in the Premier League with three games left, and Pulisic has made only eight starts all season. The United States star has only one goal and one assist to his name in league play.
Pulisic is widely expected to move on this summer, but a report Monday revealed that Chelsea's new owners wanted to get rid of him much earlier.
Ornstein: Pulisic for Leão swap was proposed
According to the Athletic's David Ornstein, key decision-makers Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali wanted to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leão after taking control of Chelsea.
To try to get their man, Boehly and Eghbali offered Pulisic and €100 million to Milan. But the Serie A champions had no interest in acquiring Pulisic or Hakim Ziyech, who was also offered to the Italian giants.
Milan referred Chelsea to Leão's €150 million release clause, and the Blues walked away from negotiations. Milan have since extended Leão's contract and raised his release clause to €175 million.
Pochettino arrival could be curtains for Christian
Though Chelsea were unsuccessful in selling Pulisic last summer, ownership figures to try again this summer, as the player will have only one year remaining on his contract and might not be in the next coach's plans.
The Blues are close to appointing Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach for next season, and Pochettino has several important decisions to make in order to cull the squad to a more manageable number of players.
This includes sorting out the future of Pulisic, who has played 58 times for the United States and should have a strong market if he is made available at a knockdown price. Milan might even be interested in reopening negotiations over the 24-year-old.
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