Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic post restart by the numbers

Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic: admittedly had a rough start to Premier League football but rebounded with the restart. How did he compare after games resumed?

Christian Pulisic is a remarkably experienced player for his age. Adding to that, he has superb technical quality and final output. He could propel this Chelsea side to scale new heights. Pulisic had a difficult start to the season with injury and having to adjust to the Premier League. Post lockdown, however, he was one of the best attackers in the league.

Based on key attacking and passing metrics let’s see how he ranked amongst the other attackers in the league.

He ranked second for dribbles per 90 at around nine. This was the second-best in the league behind only Adama  Traore.  However, his dribble success rate was only 35 percent which was 48th in the league. Still, the successful dribbles were often the impetus for the Blues’ attacking play. He also ranked second for progressive runs per 90 at around 4.4. This further reiterates his importance in much of the Blues’ attacking play. Relive some of his dribbling genius here. 

He also chipped in with four crucial goals the ninth best in the league during project restart. Some of his finishes were out of this world and if he can bring the same quality in front of goal this season, Blues fans are in for a treat.  He ranked 12th for total shots taken, however, his shot accuracy was rather low at 35 percent, ranking 41st. This is probably something he would look to improve going forward in order to become more clinical in front of goal.

Pulisic was also putting in very healthy numbers in terms of passing. He ranked in the top 25 for most metrics. He made around 1.4 deep completions per 90 which was Chelsea’s best after Mason Mount (1.76) and Willian (two).  He was also making a healthy 3.72 progressive passes per 90, the Blues’ second best after Mount who actually ranked second with 6.47 per 90 only behind Bruno Fernandes (9.49).

Although he ranked high for passes into the penalty area (12th) at 2.7, his accuracy percentage for passes to the penalty area was quite low at 47 percent, ranking 45th. This was partly because he was often attempting high-risk passes to create chances but also something he might look to improve on in terms of getting the final ball right more often than not.

All the Blues fans would agree that Pulisic post lockdown was one of our standout players. He brought a certain Eden Hazard-esque poise and elegance as he drifted in from that left channel. Unlike Hazard, however., Pulisic is more direct and likes to run at the opposition.

Chelsea now looks to be a side with a surplus of creative attacking options, Pulisic could be the missing piece in the puzzle as he brings something different with world-class dribbling ability and hopefully sustainable levels of post restart end product.

His direct play style in terms of dribbling and passing make him a very dangerous weapon in Frank Lampard’s toolbox, especially for counter-attacks against ball-dominant opposition. He could also be the key to unlocking sitting defenses. He offers a different option given his profile of abilities and is definitely the man to lift Blues fans off their seats.

To get an idea of the American Geniuses’ performance beyond the data refer to this article to relive some of his best moments last season before we get to see him again in action this weekend.

All data is from Wyscout.