October 11, (THEWILL) – Mauricio Pochettino, the newly appointed United States head coach, has spoken highly of Christian Pulisic, the AC Milan winger, ahead of his first match in charge. Pochettino described Pulisic as “one of the best offensive players in the world” during a press conference on Friday.
The Argentine coach will lead the USA team for the first time on Saturday in Austin, Texas, where they will face Panama in a friendly match. This will be followed by another friendly against Mexico in Guadalajara on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of Pochettino’s inaugural window since replacing Gregg Berhalter.
Pulisic, who made his national team debut at 17, has already accumulated 73 caps at the age of 26. The former Dortmund and Chelsea player is currently enjoying a strong run of form with AC Milan in Serie A, having scored five goals in seven league appearances and netted once in the UEFA Champions League against Liverpool.
Despite his praise for Pulisic, Pochettino expressed concern about the player’s workload. He noted that Pulisic has been playing “every single game, every single minute” and suggested that the team might need to manage his playing time carefully. The coach emphasised the importance of maintaining good relationships with clubs and ensuring players are in top form when called upon for national duty.
Pochettino also addressed the intensity of the team’s preparation, clarifying that it reflects not only physical demands but also the players’ adaptation to his tactical approach. He commended the squad’s motivation and excitement to represent the national team, while acknowledging that it will take time for the team to fully adjust to the new coaching staff’s methods.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
