Chelsea manager Graham Potter has admitted there is now ‘no chance’ of Christian Pulisic leaving this month after links with Newcastle United.
The American winger was rumoured to be a target for Eddie Howe during the summer, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claiming that the Magpies were obsessed with signing him.
However, a move failed to materialise, with Newcastle unable to bring Pulisic to St James’ Park before the summer transfer window closed. Romano stated that the Magpies only wanted a loan deal with an option to buy, rather than an obligation, which resulted in Chelsea saying ‘no’.
Newcastle have continued to be linked with Pulisic heading into January. The Mirror claimed in December that Howe wanted to make the 24-year-old his next statement signing, with the report suggesting that he could be persuaded to leave London for Tyneside.
But after two weeks of the January window, talk of Pulisic heading to the North East has gone quiet. And now it looks like all hope of a move is gone.
Graham Potter on Christian Pulisic’s future
The Chelsea boss has been speaking about Pulisic to ESPN, and addressed his future. The USA international is set for a two month spell on the sidelines, having sustained a knee injury against Manchester City last week.
Potter was asked if there is any possibility Pulisic could leave Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window.
“No chance [of Pulisic leaving], no,” Potter said.
“There was never any consideration of anything about that anyway but he’s a couple of months [out].
“He’s disappointed [to be injured] but he’s optimistic that he can come back quicker than the two months so he’s in that phase where he’s just trying to keep his fingers crossed and hopefully his rehab goes well.”
Newcastle move did not feel likely even before injury
With talk that Newcastle are trying to be careful with cash in January, a move for Pulisic always felt unlikely. He looks like someone who could rebuild his career at St James’ Park, but he is not going to get that chance this month.
Injury has all but ended any hope of Pulisic joining Newcastle, as he joins a lengthy list of Chelsea players who are currently out of action. They have serious problems right now, and are currently 10th in the Premier League.
They sit 10 points below Newcastle, who are hoping to qualify for next season’s Champions League. With that in mind, it would have been a shock if the Blues had a done Howe a favour and allowed Pulisic to swap clubs.
The £58million man is staying put, and will be desperate to return to full fitness as soon as possible to try and get Chelsea out of the mess they find themselves in.
As for Newcastle, they will continue to look elsewhere for possible reinforcements.
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