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AUSTIN, Texas — United States men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino hailed Christian Pulisic as one of the world’s best offensive players but said he was concerned about the AC Milan star’s workload amid his stellar start to the season.
Pulisic has scored six goals and added two assists in all competitions for Milan, having started all nine games this season.
“I think he’s a fantastic player, one of the best offensive players in the world,” Pochettino said of Pulisic in a news conference Friday.
“I think that we are a little bit worried that sometimes we need to protect [Pulisic],” Pochettino said. “We see because he arrived a little bit tired, but that is a thing that I told him before is to build a very good relationship with the club and try to help.
“And when we really need him, he needs to be in form, happy, strong and the quality is there because he has an enormous talent.”
After a difficult spell with Chelsea in England’s Premier League where he struggled for game time, Pulisic has become arguably the key figure for Milan in his second season at the Serie A giants.
“It’s tough to explain,” Pulisic told reporters. “I think you have moments in your career where it feels like everything you touch goes in and you have other times when it feels like you’re trying everything and the ball just won’t go in.
“As an attacking player, we’ve all gone through it. So just trying to live in that moment right now when things seem to be going well and just continue like this. I mean, for me, it’s a result of all the work I’ve put in my whole life, so it shouldn’t be a surprise. I know I have this ability and just kind of ride that high.”
After being hired Sept. 10, Pochettino is preparing for his first games as USMNT coach, with friendlies against Panama in Austin on Saturday and versus bitter rival Mexico in…
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