FRANK LAMPARD has told his £58million man Christian Pulisic: I like you but pull your finger out.
The Chelsea boss has been impressed with the former Borussia Dortmund winger’s natural ability – but frustrated with his matchday performances.
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Insiders revealed how Lampard and his staff have seen plenty of potential and are quite excited by his raw ability, but they have been slightly frustrated by the fact he has not yet showcased that in the Premier League.
USA international Pulisic, 21, has featured in just seven matches for the Blues so far this term.
And in another blow, he was hauled off in USA’s embarrassing 2-0 defeat to Canada during the international break – and started crying as he came off.
In training, Pulisic has looked top notch.
But he has not been able to transfer that onto the pitch, which has forced Lamps to leave him on the sidelines quite often.
He even had what could be seen as a dig at Lampard when he said in an interview in America: “If you can play, you can play and that’s why Dortmund was amazing for me, the coach always trusted me.
“But you’ve got to prove yourself maybe that extra mile.”
In Chelsea’s last four league matches, he has only played once – and that was a 10-minute cameo against Southampton.
But Pulisic faces a tough ask to earn a permanent starting spot.
He is up against in-form Mason Mount, fit-again Callum Hudson-Odoi, Pedro and Willian among others for one of the two attacking roles behind main striker Tammy Abraham.
The Pennsylvania-born star revealed to the Players’ Tribune some of the pressure he was facing living up to his expensive price tag.
He said: “You feel really great and then it’s more just pressure you feel like all the stuff is kind of hitting you, and you start being expected to do all of these things.
“This generation can be tough, for young players especially, having people talk about you, having constant pressure on your back.
“Especially as Americans, we haven’t had a lot of top international talents throughout our years.
“If you’re not able to tune it out then it can be a weight on your shoulders.”
