Chelsea: Four things to look for as Blues go to Selhurst Park

3. Will the Pulisic Hype Train keep on rolling?

Despite what appeared to be a deliberate effort from the entire squad in the second half, Pulisic was unable to grab what would have been a very patriotic Fourth of July goal against Watford. Even without scoring, however, Pulisic continues to hold the crown of Chelsea’s best player of the moment. The penalty he won against Etienne Capoue was comical in its certainty, and, in what we can only assume was a nod to America’s Independence Day, resembled a football tackle of the American variety.

The logical thing to say is that Pulisic deserves a rest. It’s a short turnaround after playing all 90 minutes on Saturday, and Pulisic is no stranger to picking up the odd muscular injury here or there. In this intense fixture list, rotation is a necessary evil, and Pulisic has certainly earned himself a breather.

Then again, Pulisic is on absolute fire, and Lampard needs to wring every ounce of good form out of his players in this final stretch of the season. Comparing Pulisic to Eden Hazard is unfair—and in many ways, absolutely inaccurate—but you do get the feeling that Chelsea’s attack is becoming a bit dependent on what Pulisic can create on his own. That’s not ideal, but it’s a problem for another day, as long as it earns Chelsea a top four finish this season.

In a perfect world, Chelsea light up the scoreboard in the first half against Crystal Palace, and Pulisic can come off at halftime. If you’re laughing at the very thought of that happening, that means you’ve been watching Chelsea this season. Sewing up a comfortable win is not exactly on-brand for Lampard’s side.

But the point does hold. If Chelsea can’t afford to give Pulisic a match off, the Blues can at least do him the service of getting him an early shower. Chelsea has a habit of starting off matches on the front foot without actually managing to capitalize on the early domination. Against Palace, it’ll likely enjoy that type of fast start again, and if someone can find the back of the net in the first fifteen minutes or so, it could be the first domino that leads to a fairly comfortable evening kickaround in the second half. Based on current trends, you’d bet on that early goal coming from—or at least being created by—Pulisic. It’s only fair that he’d be rewarded with a comfy seat in the stands for the second half.

Yeah, that’s right, I said it. Less Christian Pulisic, please.