Christian Pulisic "is in a good moment" at Chelsea, says manager Thomas Tuchel, but the Blues boss admits there are areas that the USMNT star can build on to become even more formidable.
The forward has been an influential figure for his club in recent weeks, helping them to FIFA Club World Cup success and a Carabao Cup final appearance, while assisting in the defense of their Champions League title.
Pulisic has two goals and an assist in his last two matches for Chelsea, helping the team to a 2-0 win over Lille in Champions League play followed by a 4-0 demolition of Burnley in the Premier League.
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Speaking ahead of crucial games in domestic and continental competition, Tuchel has now hailed Pulisic's hot streak and his partnership with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz - but also acknowledged that the American is yet to hit his ceiling, a scintillating thought for USMNT fans hoping to see Pulisic climb even higher.
What did Tuchel say about Pulisic's form?
"He’s in a good moment, in good form," the German stated in his pre-match press conference ahead of the second leg against Lille. "There is a good link-up between him, Mason [Mount] and Kai [Havertz]. They have assists together, are decisive, have goals."
But despite the recent positivity, Tuchel wants more.
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"For me, what Christian needs and what he can bring to the team is his physicality and ability to hit high intensity repetitively, on a high frequency," Tuchel continued. "This is the focus and from there the other thing is that he has the ambition and natural hunger, ambition to arrive in the six-yard box.
"This is good, this is what we need. He needs to focus on these things and start from there. If he does and feels the physical fitness, the physical ability to do so, he can have a huge influence in our game."
The big picture for Pulisic at club & country
Pulisic's form will be something both club and country hope he can carry over, with Chelsea set to face Lille for a Champions League quarter-final berth after Premier League games against Norwich and Newcastle.
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But it will be a first World Cup appearance that the 23-year-old will be chasing, with the USMNT on the cusp of qualifying for Qatar 2022.
They play Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica later this month in three vital CONCACAF encounters, with a spot at the World Cup on the line.
