Christian Pulisic is already feeling ‘the wow factor’ at Milan and sees this move as an opportunity to ‘reach another level’ after Chelsea, but assures he is not trying to fill Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s shoes by taking his shirt.
The striker made the move from Chelsea for circa €20m plus another €2m in performance-related bonuses.
After undergoing his medical yesterday, he signed a contract to June 2027, which has an option to extend for one further year.
A press conference was held at short notice this evening and live-streamed on the Milan YouTube channel, which you can watch here.
“Very excited to be here and finally arrive in Milan. I felt this wow factor, the history of the club, just seeing the training ground, everything here is very special, so I am honoured to be a part of this historic club,” said the 24-year-old.
In 2021, the Rossoneri qualified for the Champions League for the first time in eight years and at the same time Pulisic won the trophy with Chelsea.
Milan reached the semi-finals last term and are aiming even higher this time around, also thanks to his experience.
“It’s another big reason to come to this club, they’re in the Champions League again, had quite a good season and are fun to watch. I am now here to help this team win titles like the Champions League, which obviously they’ve done before.
“Lifting the Champions League was a big moment for me and the team, and I am chasing that feeling again.”
Ruben Loftus-Cheek also made the transfer from Chelsea to San Siro and hinted Stefano Pioli is shifting to a 4-3-3 formation, which was again not denied by Pulisic.
“When you have interest from a club like Milan, immediately you have to think about it and want to go to a club with so much history. I spoke to Pioli and really felt like they wanted me. When they say this is how we want you to play, it’s something that makes you feel good and it’s a big reason why I also wanted to come here.”
Pulisic has inherited the Number 11 jersey from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and acknowledges that’s a big shirt to take on after the Swede’s retirement.
“I’m not trying to fill his shoes, he’s a legend, but it was a fresh beginning and a number that I liked. There are so many big names you can go through, but I am a bit younger, so watched the likes of Kaka and Ibrahimovic, plus the players who are here now.
“Rafael Leao is incredible with what he can do, dribbling past players, very physical, good in front of goal and I think I can bring this as well. I am very intrigued to see what is my best position and how I can help the team. I like to be very direct and attacking.”
Olivier Giroud is another former Chelsea player in the Milan squad, along with defender Fikayo Tomori.
“The last few seasons with Chelsea were difficult. It’s great to see Fikayo coming here and doing so well. It is a brilliant opportunity for me to come here, get a fresh start and play for a big team like this. I had a good relationship with Giroud in London too, he’s very excited to have me here and I think there are going to be some nice relationships on the pitch. There’s a lot of talent in this team.”
Chelsea famously paid €65m to sign Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund in 2019, but he struggled to replicate that form in London.
“This is why I wanted to come here. For whatever reason, I wasn’t getting the opportunities I wanted at my previous club, but I now have a great opportunity to reach the highest level that I can and take it to another level.
“It’s a massive club, there are a lot of Milan jerseys across the U.S. and it is definitely perceived as a big, legendary team.”
The move to Italy is also allowing Pulisic to make a change for his family, as he registered as an EU player because of his Croatian heritage.
In America, the name has always been pronounced with a hard c at the end, but he admits now that he is “closer to Croatia,” the traditional pronunciation like Pulisi-ch is fine.
His tactical versatility is one of the reasons why he was signed, as he can be a mirror to Rafael Leao on the right or a support striker too.
“I’ve played more coming from the left, but if there is the opportunity to come in from the right or even playing behind the striker, I am also comfortable. It’s about training, going through pre-season and finding out which is my best position in this team.”
The reporters were able to surprise Pulisic by revealing his 25th birthday is the date set for the Derby della Madonnina against Inter.
“My birthday is the Inter game? Perfect! That’s going to be an exciting birthday for me, for sure!”