Christian Pulisic leaves AC Milan boss concerned with first US camp under Mauricio Pochettino

AC Milan star Christian Pulisic is on international duty with the United States as Mauricio Pochettino takes charge of the team for the first time and club boss Paulo Fonseca has worries

AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca is concerned over Christian Pulisic’s return from international duty.

The USA winger and team-mate Yunus Musah are not expected to return to Italy until 48 hours before Milan’s match against Udinese. The duo are set to represent the stars and stripes of the United States in matches against Panama and Mexico with the latter taking place in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Pulisic and Musah will be required to travel back from Mexico ahead of Milan playing three games in the space of a week. Fonseca will be hoping to quickly bounce back after losing against Bayer Leverkusen and Fiorentina.

The Rossoneri sit sixth in the Italian topflight after a modest start to the season. Napoli currently lead the league ahead of rivals Inter Milan.

Reports in Italy suggest former Roma boss Fonseca is wary that his players will not arrive in good condition to be immediately involved upon their return. That will come as a blow with Pulisic being the standout player of the Serie A side’s season.

The former Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea star has already bagged six goals in nine appearances this season. New USA boss Mauricio Pochettino has lauded Pulisic as one of the best attackers in the world.

Speaking ahead of his first match in charge, Pochettino warned that Pulisic needed to be protected however. “I think he’s a fantastic player, one of the best offensive players in the world,” he said.

“I think that we are a little bit worried that sometimes we need to protect [Pulisic]. We see because he arrived a little bit tired, but that is a thing that I told him before is to build a very good relationship with the club and try to help.

“And when we really need him, he needs to be in form, happy, strong and the quality is there because he has an enormous talent.”

Pulisic is pleased with his form so far this season and refuses to be surprised by his exploits. “”It’s tough to explain,” he told reporters.

“I think you have moments in your career where it feels like everything you touch goes in and you have other times when it feels like you’re trying everything and the ball just won’t go in. As an attacking player, we’ve all gone through it.

“So just trying to live in that moment right now when things seem to be going well and just continue like this. I mean, for me, it’s a result of all the work I’ve put in my whole life, so it shouldn’t be a surprise. I know I have this ability and just kind of ride that high.”

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