Olivier Giroud: Christian Pulisic reminds me of Eden Hazard
Olivier Giroud has given a glowing assessment of former Chelsea team-mate Christian Pulisic, comparing the struggling winger to Eden Hazard and welcoming links to current club Milan.
The United States international has struggled for significant minutes this season due to issues surrounding form and injuries, which has largely dictated his career in west London since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2019.
That has not stopped the 24-year-old from winning silverware, though, as he lifted the Champions League in 2020/21 with Giroud. The duo played alongside each other for two seasons, enough for Giroud to make a judgement upon Pulisic’s true capabilities.
“He was a happy boy, always good vibes, smiling,” Giroud told Morning Footy. “It was easy to have a laugh with him. My understanding on the pitch with him was top, a bit like Eden [Hazard], even if I played less with Christian.
“He’s that kind of player who is very skilful. He can dribble, play the one-two. He knew how to use me on the pitch and vice versa.
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“We had good times together and I hope he can get rid of the injuries, get better and get more consistency and more games because he’s a very, very talented player.”
Pulisic has fallen down the pecking order once again at Stamford Bridge, with the club parachuting in a raft of new recruits in Todd Boehly’s season of splurging, restricting him to just eight Premier League starts so far, and an omission altogether from Frank Lampard’s matchday squad against Arsenal.
As such, he has been linked with a host of clubs this summer, with Chelsea expected to overhaul their squad and bring in a new manager. Champions League semi-finalists Milan are one such club reportedly monitoring his situation in London, and Giroud says he would welcome a reunion with him.
On Pulisic’s links to Milan, Giroud said: “I think people here would love it. It’s definitely a big name in Europe, so he would help us.”
