The two former USMNT standouts addressed Pulisic's impressive form with the Rossoneri, his role with the national team
Gomez emphasizes Pulisic's excellence despite Milan's issuesHe places American winger in "elite company" in Serie ALalas says Pulisic needs a better team around himGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
With Christian Pulisic reaching 50 Serie A goal contributions after scoring early in a 2-0 win over Venzia, the American became only the third player in the league to reach that figure over the last two seasons.
He follows Lautaro Martinez (54) and Ademola Lookman (50), placing the USMNT international in elite company. That prompted former USMNT star Herculez Gomez to assert that – despite the constant turnover of coaches, clubs and other internal issues – Pulisic has continued to show his best.
“It’s been constant turnover and turnover and turnover when it comes to the coaches and we’re just talking about the coaches," Gomez said on . “Chelsea had a black hole of players that would come in and out, and they were never a program that had some stability. When they had stability, Pulisic had productive years, and his issues weren’t being productive but staying healthy.
“It just wasn’t meant to be, and he goes to Milan, and you really have to tip your hat to a guy that many saw as a lost cause. He was an afterthought, and he’s gone from an afterthought to the face of AC Milan, a historic brand in world football. The problem is they’re ninth place in Serie A, it’s this version of Milan and that’s what people are going to hang over Pulisic.
He added, “He’s in elite company right there and you can see the level of competition he’s up against – and it’s not Rafa Leao, it’s not some other player, it’s Christian Pulisic. This is a testament to who Pulisic is and who he could be.”
Gomez said Pulisic is finally delivering on his potential.
“There was always flashes of that brilliance. 'Lockdown Christian Pulisic" how good he was? No fans in the stadium, there’s always an asterisk there. What about the Champions League run where they won the Champions League, the goal vs Real Madrid, there were always these flashes. The game against Liverpool, there was always flashes of what Christian Pulisic could be but he could never quite piece it together.
“He’s doing that now, he’s doing it with multiple coaches, he’s doing it with different teammates, and he’s taking the responsibility of being the leader in his own way. Milan fans and national teams fans in the U.S. will be very excited in Christian Pulisic, who's found a home in Milan.”
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Alexi Lalas also touched upon the Rossoneri’s American star and questions whether the Pulisic's ceiling could be even higher with a stronger supporting cast at the Italian giants.
“Something that we've been talking about on a consistent basis is how good Christian Pulisic has been, albeit for a mediocre Milan. Milan right now, even with the win, still sits in ninth place. That is never good enough for Milan. So I think there are going to be changes. It'll be interesting to see,” Lalas said on his podcast. “And I don't see Christian Pulisic going anywhere, but it will be interesting to see what Christian Pulisic looks like come next year with an AC Milan that I think absolutely has to improve. And I do think that they will improve because of who they are. And does Christian Pulisic get lost in whatever that new shuffle is?
“Or does he rise even more and rise to the occasion, and now with even better players around him, potentially all potential? Does he become even bigger than he is right now? Obviously that's what we are all hoping for going forward, but he still continues to perform.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Pulisic's renaissance at AC Milan has become one of American soccer's biggest success stories. The USMNT star's transformation from Chelsea squad player to Milan cornerstone represents a significant career revival ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Not only that, he has contributed to 27 goals across all competitions this season with 20 of those coming in the Serie A alone.
Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?
Despite their 2-0 win over Venezia, AC Milan remain in ninth place on the Serie A table and are six points behind AS Roma, who occupy the final European football spot in sixth place. face Genoa on the road next on May 5 and then host Bologna at the San Siro on May 9.