Original subtitles

You're watching "Pulisic"

presented by Michelob Ultra.

Also presented by Volkswagen.

Pulisic!

UEFA Champions League is the prize

that every footballer dreams of winning.

And if you're an American soccer fan

for the very first time ever,

you have a rooting interest on both sides of the ball.

Be that Zack Steffen with Manchester City

or Blues' number 10, Christian Pulisic.

When you look at the moment,

when you think about the size of the expectations

for this young player,

there's the sense that this is the highest the stakes

have ever been for him.

But he is playing to open the door

for every talented American player behind him.

It's an incredible challenge.

I tried my best to always be confident

and tell myself, there's a reason you're here.

Go and make a difference and show them why you belong here.

Pretend with me that an Englishman made it over

to America and ended up in the Super Bowl.

For us Americans, this is huge.

It's a big sense of pride.

I always said I wanted to play

at the highest level in Europe and become a professional there,

but going to play in England was a whole other level.

When you play for clubs like Manchester United,

Liverpool, Chelsea, you always have a lot of pressure.

WESTON McKENNIE: You have to be strong mentally.

There's a reason that a lot of players

don't make it in Europe whenever they try to come over here.

Chelsea being such a big club,

he knew it would come with challenges with the pressures.

But as anything, he took it on head on.

It was a great move and I think

it helped him to grow as a football player

and also as a person.

Some American sporting history.

The first American male

in a European Champions League final.

Christian going through

what he went through at Chelsea

taught him to be tough.

He never gives up.

He wants to prove to everyone

that he can be among the elite,

the world class player that everyone looks to

to be a difference-maker in each of these big matches.

Pulisic, ah, that's a sublime little touch.

Havertz is on his way now.

He can play in...

Back to Pulisic...

Christian Pulisic!

Oh, it's wide.

Oh, it looked in from here, Pat.

- Oh! - Everyone thought it was in.

I almost had a goal

in the Champions League final

which still keeps me up, low key.

So...

Hi.

So, take care, is a little bit wet.

History was made today

with the news that Christian Pulisic

has become the most expensive

American soccer player of all time.

Signing for Chelsea for $73 million.

This is the biggest player signing

in American soccer history.

He'll succeed whether it's at Chelsea or not.

I know he's good enough to play at that level

and I think he's going to succeed there.

One of the interesting things about Borussia Dortmund

is that they are what is known as a "selling club."

They find young talent, they develop them,

and then they sell those players to "bigger clubs."

Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham.

Those are just some of the more recent big names

who started at the club but then eventually

parted ways for what were considered bigger opportunities.

And eventually it was time for Christian to move on.

Yeah!

Thank you guys very much.

And the next stop for him was Chelsea.

No, I just want to thank you guys for, uh...

for everything you guys do behind the scenes.

It's been, uh,

a pretty unbelievable five years in Dortmund

and, uh, and here's to the next five in London.

And bigger and better things.

Cheers!

- Cheers. - Cheers!

JÜRGEN KLINSMANN: Moving on to England,

to the Premier League, to Chelsea.

That's another big, big step.

You know, that maybe even players at the age of 26,

28, 29, don't know how to handle,

maybe are not able to handle, but he did.

We've had American greats like Landon Donovan

and Clint Dempsey that played in the Premier League,

but to then make the move for that type of money,

it had never happened before.

And with that money, obviously,

comes certain expectations.

It-- it's an exciting moment

for-- for Christian Pulisic.

He-- he deserves it.

Hey!

That fee says they want him to play right away when he comes,

It is a huge fee.

Here we are.

Grace Miller, everyone, in Majorca.

Edition One with Christian and Grace.

- Hi. - YouTube channel coming soon.

Make sure to like and subscribe.

Yeah.

Of course, you know, it's a big move.

You have to play directly in big games

for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

And there's definitely pressure,

but as far as like a price tag...

Ah, look at this. Beautiful.

...it doesn't necessarily put any extra pressure on me.

You have to be ready for it.

I dare you jump in the pool.

I dare you!

I think it was a really exciting time in the U.S.

because obviously everyone had seen him

come through the Dortmund ranks

and when he had signed there, he was so young.

Ladies and gentlemen, this pool is freezing.

You won't!

Whoo!

And then it felt like he got the big money move to England

and with that comes a lot of pressure.

Instantly regretted that one.

Turn it off. Cut it.

Um, there-- it was a curious choice as a next step.

I mean, Dortmund was a place

that knew how to sustain,

that knew how to ease, that knew how to lift.

Chelsea was much less.

I mean, Chelsea was like football

meets "Lord of the Flies."

And Christian, this trusting, sweet,

I mean, not yet hardened by footballing in reality.

I feared for him when he went there.

Maurizio Sarri,

who was the coach of Chelsea at the time,

was dead set on having Christian, he loved him.

They presented a video with Christian inserted,

his position, where they saw him playing.

Truly, there was a feeling that I got in my gut.

They had done their research.

They said, this is the player that we see

and this is how he can fit in.

Christian felt comfortable with him

and decided that he definitely wanted

to take this challenge on.

But this being Chelsea, by the time he got there,

the manager who signed him, the manager who wanted him,

the manager who said, "That kid,

he's gonna be the jewel in my system"

was already gone.

It's funny how things happen.

And he ended up leaving the club that summer

and sure enough, I get a new coach.

And then I'm thinking, "Oh, geez, have I--"

"What have I done now?"

The big story emerging from Stamford Bridge this evening.

Potential replacements for Maurizio Sarri.

It's confirmed, super Frankie Lampard

has been given a three-year deal

as head coach at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard, was arguably,

one of the greatest Premier League players of all time.

Top three, I would say,

Chelsea legend,

but this was the manager's first

real shot in top flight football

at a really good team.

But as time went on,

Lampard wasn't playing Christian consistently

and it's difficult to become a superstar

when you're not getting consistent minutes.

I'm really pleased with him.

He's a hot topic because of the price tag.

And everyone, I think,

has got a little bit carried away with the short term.

I've got four wingers to choose from now.

They're all fit.

And Christian, I think we all forget,

has just turned 21

and his talent will come through.

There were times where I would speak to him directly

and just get his feeling.

That's not to say, "Why aren't, like,

"why aren't you playing me? What's going on?"

But for sure I wanna know what can I do to improve,

what can I do to give myself the best chance

to be on that field?

'Cause I'm not okay with just sitting on the bench.

Christian, welcome to London.

Dortmund tweeted that you came as a boy, left as a man.

Is that pretty accurate?

Yeah, I'd say so.

What do you hope to achieve here?

I want to do something no American has ever done.

And if I can inspire one American kid

to want to play in the Premier League

and do it one day, then I'm happy.

He's only 20-years old,

not played a huge amount of football.

Just take your time a little bit.

I'm sure we'll see him off the bench

because he's that talented.

The story between Christian Pulisic and Chelsea

has been, at the beginning, exciting

because they were trusting the player.

They were convinced about his talent.

But if you can't be consistent because probably the club,

the coach, the background stuff,

they are not trusting you at the best level possible,

then your chapter at the club is going to be complicated.

Christian Pulisic, 20-years old,

from Pennsylvania, USA,

one who is set to entertain us royally

and to be a game-changer potentially for Chelsea.

That first year I was not straight into the team,

playing right away.

It took a while and I felt like I needed to prove myself.

It's great for a manager

to have this kind of player

who can play all the positions up front.

He's a great link up player.

We had a good relationship,

you know, understanding on the pitch.

I think it started strong,

but that doesn't mean that it was easy.

It's a grind, that's what it is.

There's times where the only thing that you can do

is try to focus on yourself and look and how can you improve

because as a big money transfer

coming into a big team

that already has proven stars

had to grind every day to earn the respect

of my teammates, of the coach,

to gain that playing time.

You know, I've always trusted

that my work is going to pay off.

I never for a second let it put me down in any way.

It's out of my control.

And I feel like all I can do

is just continue to improve.

If I get to a point where I'm good enough

and they see what I'm doing on the field,

there's just no way they can keep me off that field.

And that's my mindset always.

Beautiful day on the golf course here, huh?

What's up?

Let's go. 18.

Oh, Mark, you pushed it.

When my dad visits, we always try to get out

and get some golf matches in

and have some good competition too.

I'll give you seven strokes.

If you beat me.

- That's seven strokes? - Yes.

- Okay. - I'll buy you a new iPad.

Seriously, seven strokes, you get me a new iPad?

Yes.

Golf is a big part of our life.

We enjoy playing all the time together

and good times for sure.

Seven strokes.

Dad, you're my dad.

I'll buy you an iPad right now.

No, I want to earn it.

- Okay. - I have to earn things, son.

It's great for me that Christian still

will lean on me a little bit when things get tough.

And with big moments coming up and, you know,

Chelsea, yeah, I mean--

Any time you're at a club

for three, four years or whatever,

there's gonna be tough times, you know?

And he went through them.

Closest to the pin from right here.

For an iPad?

Let's do it.

Oh, you bastardo.

Shit!

I'm very curious about your upbringing.

Grandpa was crazy.

He-- we were at a game once,

and this guy fouled me, Christian.

And he ran out on the field after the player who fouled me.

Get on it.

And then a parent from the other side came,

and Grandpa was tackled by this guy.

It was nuts.

Yeah!

Let's go!

You don't even know if it's better.

- Wow. - I'm more pin high.

No, it's closest to the pin.

- It's not pin high. - I'm closer.

No, you're not.

Then my crazy Italian mom,

we're playing all day out in the yard,

and she kept calling us in for dinner,

"Mom, we're coming, we're coming."

Me and my brothers.

And she came out with a butcher knife,

like a big butcher knife.

And she took the ball and stabbed it.

So we had to go in for dinner.

That's-- that's my favorite story. It's a good one.

Christian, what are you talking about?

It's not even close.

Damn!

It looked good, though. No?

It looked good. It looked good.

Your time in Chelsea.

I mean, I know we were there with you

during the tough times and, uh...

Not always.

No, that's what I'm gonna ask you.

I mean, how did you handle those times

if we weren't around?

I don't know, I think we always said

how important it was to not make any excuses.

And I made sure that I wouldn't-- I wouldn't stop

what I was doing or check out in any single way

because I knew that there'd be a time after that time.

Good evening from Lancashire

in week 10 of the Premier League season.

Well, there's been a real clamor

for Christian Pulisic to start for Chelsea.

Getting the nod today.

For me, a good example of that

is when I got my first start in that match against Burnley.

I do want to know, when I send you a text

and I get a little emoji back,

praying hands or something,

is that a kind gesture,

or do you really not give a shit

if I send you a message before a game?

Lowton...

Not the place to lose possession.

Here's Pulisic.

I take your messages

very seriously before games, actually, I do.

Pulisic on the left foot.

And he scores!

What a moment for the man from Pennsylvania!

Like, when I got my first start, I was like,

"Oh, why do I feel the need to prove myself?"

Rejoice, America.

Pulisic is on the score sheet for Chelsea.

And I remember you just kind of calmed me down

and told me, "Just go play your game."

Pulisic makes his way forward

and scores again!

His second goal of the game.

We had a lot of moments like that

before the biggest of games

and, you know, it just means so much to me.

Oh, the header comes in.

Goodness me, he's done it again!

Would you believe it?

Christian Pulisic has a hat-trick.

He's taken the Premier League by storm

here today, the American.

You're taking the match ball home.

Did you nearly forget to get it off the referee?

I did, yeah.

It's actually my first professional hat-trick,

so I didn't realize that was the tradition, I guess?

I just forgot.

Luckily my teammates helped me out there,

so I was able to get it in the end.

There's truly never any resolution.

You reach a certain point that you think,

"Oh, now I'm gonna be satisfied

and everything's gonna be great."

And then you realize soon after

that you got to strive for the next thing.

Yeah!

2-0!

Christian Pulisic with his first goal at Stamford Bridge.

You're not satisfied

with just having scored that hat-trick.

Now I need to go in and perform in a big game

and now you gotta do it again.

You got to show consistency.

It's just a never ending cycle of a professional athlete.

And I'm sure all people deal with the same thing.

The situation regarding Christian Pulisic

not getting many minutes,

not playing too much for Chelsea.

Some quotes that came out overnight

from his manager, Frank Lampard.

"I spoke to Christian and was very clear

"about the standards.

"We have to give him

"the fact that he's moved country

and moved leagues."

"What he needs to do is work

to show within the group that he deserves to play."

In Christian's mind, he was thinking,

"I want to play football,

"I want to be a consistent starter,

not just to be on the bench at Chelsea."

That was a crucial point.

So play and trust the players

in the crucial moment.

This has to be the message sometimes

to really see the value of these players.

I think he has to start seeing

this challenge as a gift

and as a player, that's kind of all you ask for.

Is, if I'm not in the team, if I'm not on the side,

if I'm not starting, just let me know why.

As a young player,

when you first start to make

it in the professional scene

and it's awesome and people are talking about you

and you get into this spiral

and you're looking yourself up online,

on Twitter, on different things,

and you kind of learn about what--

what people are like, and just--

You have to learn to really, you know,

kind of avoid it as much as you can.

One of the things I told him is definitely

watch out for the media in England.

They can kill you.

They can honestly-- they can honestly kill you.

He's gonna have to grow up.

He's gonna have to be part of that dress room.

He's gonna have to wait his time.

His time will come.

He's got to prove himself at this football club.

In hindsight,

Christian Pulisic made a mistake in choosing Chelsea

for his next step, didn't he?

It's not easy to do

what I do over here all by yourself.

You get home from a tough game,

you just sit in silence on your own,

thousands of miles away from home.

It's extremely difficult.

Gosh, looking back on it,

things were not going as well as I wanted,

and I didn't feel the joy

to wake up in the morning and go into work every day.

It is a very dark and difficult place.

It feels like you won't be able to ever fulfill your potential

because you're on the sidelines.

And being in Europe, where everything is centered

around performance and being on the pitch

and contributing to success

and you not being a part of it,

you feel that...

you're helpless.

There were times we're talking with Christian

on the phone, and as parents, your heart's broken.

You see the hurt, you see the depression,

you see the pressure.

He's a true perfectionist.

So if everything wasn't exactly perfect,

he couldn't-- couldn't feel happy.

I think his personality

is just so demanding on himself,

and expectations are so high on himself.

When he doesn't reach those expectations,

your thoughts are all negative.

And as an athlete, that's-- that's tough.

He puts a lot of pressure on himself,

But I also feel like that's

what sets him apart, I think.

I remember talking to my parents about it,

wondering why am I doing this

if I'm so miserable? What's going on?

And they said, maybe it is a good idea

to go talk to someone who is kind of an expert in this field

and understands this and has worked

with athletes in the past.

It's a tough thing to admit

that you need that in some ways.

But, you know, looking back, it helped me a lot.

It helped me a lot during that time.

Will there be difficult times again?

Of course. He's 26-years old.

He still has a career ahead of him.

But you just hope as a player, the down times

will be a little bit easier to deal with,

and he'll be able to get back on a good path again.

It was such a tumultuous time at Chelsea.

You couldn't predict the vision forward,

especially during the pandemic.

Good afternoon and welcome to Sky Sports News

as the Premier League, Football League

and Women's Super League is suspended.

I remember having to fight

my way through that COVID time.

You get out of bed every morning and you say,

I can either just continue to lay here

and let it beat you or

you get up anyways and you keep going.

It was difficult for players

whose parents couldn't travel to be with them

and they couldn't travel to be with their parents.

Everyone said, well, he's a player at Chelsea

earning X number of hundreds of thousands of pounds a week.

What is there to moan about?

Yeah, on the one hand,

but he's a 21, 22-year old, locked in the house

in a foreign country,

completely on his own.

It doesn't matter that you're a footballer earning good money,

you've also got to deal with these kinds of things.

The League said, we don't know exactly

when we're gonna come back.

So I got home on one of the last flights home

you could probably take to the US.

Nobody on the flight with me.

I think I had the whole plane to myself.

It was so strange.

Just want to play soccer again, man.

I actually got to spend quite a few weeks at home.

Boom.

Had some actually really good memories there.

♪ Happy birthday ♪

We're down in Florida for a little while,

so I actually got to train a lot.

I was working with my dad

and some of my close friends, my cousin,

and so actually coming back from that,

I've never felt more confident and good about my game.

COVID was tough,

but at the end of the day he got through it

and he found a great run of form.

Some players have come back

for the project restart and they've looked rusty.

A lot of them actually have looked rusty.

Not Christian Pulisic,

who's not only come out of the break,

but come off an injury as well.

Azpilicueta, delicious ball there...

Christian played the most incandescent football

of his career in lockdown.

Christian Pulisic only just off the bench.

No one was better at fanless football

than Christian, my God.

Well, there could be a chance on here.

Pulisic picks up the loose ball and he could be in.

Christian Pulisic for Chelsea...

1-0!

There's a run of games

where he scored almost every time he touched the ball.

Pulisic! Two!

The American strikes again.

Pushing by Mount... Pulisic!

Hs worked his way through

a goal in the FA Cup final

and it's come from the United States of America.

Christian has the quality

to be playing at the elite level of European football.

Chelsea saw it and they paid a big price for it.

And there were sparks, there were moments,

but injuries didn't help.

He got injured a lot.

Pulisic's on his way,

went for a better of placement.

Looks he might have pulled his hamstring as well.

- It's gone, hasn't it? - Yeah.

This is football, man.

Things can change very quickly.

You can see he's actually screaming

before he took the shot.

That's bad news for him and bad news for Chelsea.

If you want to be consistent at this level,

you need to be fit.

Availability is an ability.

I've always said it.

You can't be on form.

You can't play to the peak of your powers

if you're constantly getting injured.

The injuries are a little bit of a worry.

They're coming a little bit regular.

I hope he can manage those

and get a run of games because he's shown

he can be a real threat in this league.

During your time with Chelsea

you clearly dealt with a lot,

besides just injuries,

there were a lot of managerial changes.

Can you even remember

all the managers you played for at Chelsea?

Uh...

In Chelsea?

Yeah, you might have to help me out.

I mean, I think started with Lampard, um,

Tuchel, Graham Potter, then...

Uh, there was kind of some--

One of his assistants kind of took over for a little bit

and then Lampard came in again.

And I think that was it at Chelsea.

I could be missing someone, I don't know.

Yeah.

We are being told that Chelsea Football Club

today part of company with head coach Frank Lampard.

Thomas Tuchel is going to be the next Chelsea manager.

I'll go on the record as saying.

I don't know if Tuchel was Christian's favorite coach.

Tuchel only knew him as a 17 and 18-year old, so--

Now Tuchel came in.

Yeah, it was up and down.

Yeah, it was difficult having him come back in.

He was obviously very hard on me

as a young kid in Dortmund,

and that's kind of how things go as a young player.

You're coming up into a big team.

You have to be that guy who's--

maybe gets picked on a little bit more.

Thomas Tuchel was very candid, very direct.

Sometimes a player gets

caught in the storm of that honesty.

Maybe his problem is that I know from Dortmund

how strong he is from the bench.

I had kind of created a name for myself

in that first season at Chelsea,

and then I didn't want to be looked at in any way

as that young player from Dortmund.

There's no lack of trust,

there's no lack of quality.

It's just maybe to be a bit patient.

Guys have to keep on fighting.

There's no other way.

I don't think he fits this system

that Tuchel's playing.

I think it's unfair for him.

He has no chance.

Tuchel was very demanding

and sometimes a bit harsh on players.

Since Tuchel arrived,

it was maybe a different Christian.

But he puts a little bit more pressure on himself

than I think anyone else can.

He's, honestly, his biggest opponent.

I mean, you have certain players that shy away from pressure.

You have certain players that rise to the occasion.

And he's definitely proven over his career

that he's the type of person that rises to the occasion.

We all thought that Christian should be getting

much more time than he was.

It was frustrating for me as a former U.S. international,

to see a kid that's so gifted

to see that he's proven it time in and time out.

But for whatever reason,

the manager would always select another player,

and that's what speaks to me the most.

And I think why I have so much respect for him

is because he never gives up,

and it's so easy to give up.

Christian Pulisic, who started Frank Lampard's

last seven Premier League games

but hasn't kicked a ball for the new boss,

gets his chance to shine now.

Christian busted his hump to get on the field

every day he was at Chelsea,

so, that's all he could do.

It's Marcos Alonso,

lovely shape, off the post

tucked in by Christian Pulisic!

His first goal under Thomas Tuchel.

We started to build

this difficult team to play against.

We'd score on set pieces,

we'd be nasty, we'd find ways to win.

Pulisic... Goal!

What a wonderful finish.

The American finds the net.

But, I mean, what can you say?

You're not necessarily gonna be best friends

with every single one of your coaches.

It's just not the reality of it.

It was a strange season because of COVID,

stadiums were half empty.

Real Madrid had to play their home games away from home

because they were renovating the Bernabeu.

When you hear Real Madrid,

you think Champions League,

you think about what they've done in that competition.

But we ended up playing them at the training ground.

And I think we kind of took that and said,

all right, maybe we can use this to our advantage in some way.

We had some kind of strange confidence

where there's just no way these guys beat us today.

As for Chelsea,

I can bring some good news.

Our man, Christian Pulisic, he is in the starting 11.

The moment Rudiger puts that ball in behind,

kind of run onto it.

He's found Pulisic...

Dribbling the keeper

is a really good option nowadays

with these guys so big and quick and blocking

a huge portion of the goal.

So I kind of held it, held it, held it.

Took a touch around the keeper, slotted my shot in there.

And Pulisic scored!

And Chelsea take the lead.

Captain America delivers for Chelsea on the biggest stage.

Most important for the club yet.

It's for sure one of my favorite goals I've scored.

Just because of the patience

and kind of the calmness.

Feeling that moment,

scoring in a semifinal of the Champions League...

Yeah, one of those nights that you don't forget.

Don't get me wrong,

scoring in a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid,

that's massive, simply put.

But Thomas Tuchel is very methodical,

very true to his way of playing football,

which first and foremost begins with organization.

You know, Tuchel trusted him in the Champions League run,

but he didn't start the second leg,

which I think still frustrates Christian to this day.

There are so many quality players.

You can make decisions that not everybody understands

and not everybody likes.

Hopefully we don't overthink it.

Tomorrow we need a top level team performance

when we fight with Real Madrid for the finals.

Obviously I was disappointed that I didn't start.

I mean, in my head it didn't make any sense.

So I definitely came into that game pissed off.

Christian Pulisic will take the place

of Timo Werner.

Stolen by Kante, Christian Pulisic...

It's in!

Mason Mount has got the goal

that surely seals Chelsea's place

in an all-English final.

That goal was at a moment

where, like, we knew we're going to the final.

You had such a fantastic game,

to find yourself on the bench,

you must be frustrated,

but the way to come on and send a message

is to do what you did.

I'm very frustrated.

Um...

Yeah. There's not much else to say.

I wanted to play from the beginning, as I always do.

I've had to continue to prove myself

over and over again,

but nothing can stop me really.

Getting it done.

No bullshit.

Organized.

Win the game.

See it out. Onto the next.

The Premier League champions, Manchester City,

taking on Chelsea in Porto.

I think everybody had Manchester City

as the favorites, but when it's one off like that,

all of this goes out the window.

I told the guys we have some disappointing news now

because I have to choose from 23 a starting 11.

Christian is a tough choice to leave him out,

but very strong from the bench.

We have NFL legend J.J. Watt with us.

J.J., what was your reaction to Christian Pulisic

not being in the starting lineup?

Obviously, I'd love to see him out there.

I mean, everybody on this side of the pond

would love to see it

but I also know that coming on

as a super sub in the second half

is a chance for him to really change the game

and be a magician.

Well, Christian Pulisic played youth football

for PA Classics,

and as you can see,

it is Christian Pulisic Day there today.

Huge excitement and anticipation

for their most famous alum.

Here we go.

Mason Mount winning that out of nowhere,

Werner again!

Big chance.

Chilwell, Mount, and Havertz floats here!

Ederson off his line...

He's round Ederson and he must score!

Havertz has scored!

Immortality beckons if Chelsea can hold on!

Halftime it is

and Chelsea are on top.

After that, it felt like, all right,

they can really get it done here.

Some American sporting history

as Timo Werner gives way

to the first American male ever to cross the white line

in a European Champions League final.

I've had some unbelievable, you know, times

and goals in big moments.

I've had some bad misses in big moments.

Pulisic... Ah, it's a sublime little touch.

These are moments in my career

that I look back on and shake my head.

Havertz on his way now.

You know, it's all part of the game.

Christian Pulisic!

Who was that close.

At the end of the day,

you don't even think about that

'cause you're celebrating winning a Champions League,

lifting that trophy.

This is it.

History in the making.

30 seconds!

You think back of everything

that you've ever done in your career

that's led you to that point.

Chelsea Football Club Champions in Europe!

It's happened.

It's real,

against the odds.

And at the end of football's strangest season,

it is the finest feeling possible.

To seeing guys drop to their knees

and having my family there,

my parents being at the game,

it just doesn't get much better than that.

I've never felt anything quite like it.

At the end of the day, I'll never forget the hug

between Christian and Tuchel

after the whistle blew

and they won the Champions League.

So, hey, you know,

you put some things aside

sometimes and move on.

These achievements that he's doing,

the big games he's experiencing,

there's something unbelievably beautiful about it,

But there's also something unbelievably American about it.

Christian, I've checked the encyclopedia,

and it says, "Christian Pulisic, Champions League winner, 2021."

How does that feel?

It's just incredible.

I can't even--

I have no words. I'm so proud.

What next? To win it again?

That's right. Yeah.

Obviously got some duty with national team.

Take a little rest, I'mma head away,

and then we're gonna come back

and try to do the same thing next year.

Congratulations. Checking this encyclopedia...

So you're a big part of a Champions League run,

you win several trophies while you're at Chelsea

yet somehow a major publication

comes out with an article titled,

"Why did Christian Pulisic flop at Chelsea?"

How do you respond to that?

I mean...

I think I've said it already.

My reaction would be to, uh,

show them my Champions League medal,

maybe show them a couple highlights,

maybe show them that hat trick.

Um, that pretty-- pretty decent season that I had in Chelsea.

People are gonna say whatever they want to say.

Unfortunately, it's a little bit too easy

to say that nowadays

and be hidden behind a screen.

But for those people that want to say I flopped

or, you know, overrated this guy, whatever,

say bad things about me,

it-- it truly, with what I've gone through in my life,

it doesn't affect me.

I have what actually matters to me.

So I'm gonna keep going and keep pushing.

People can say what they wanna say.

The curious case of Christian Pulisic.

There comes a time with every player

when you've got to look in the mirror and you gotta say,

"What am I not doing?"

I think you've got to look at your situation

and say, "I don't think the manager fancies me here."

Getting out of Chelsea

was a number one priority at that time.

The media, the fans, it was just a very toxic environment.

He gave Pulisic 45 minutes.

We didn't score, we didn't create.

Havertz, Pulisic, Ziyech.

The three of you are a fucking disgrace

because you lot have been average

for how long this season at Chelsea?

At Chelsea I don't think he had

that much of a confidence.

It was a revolving door of managers

between Tuchel and Graham Potter.

It probably would do him a favor to get going

because they've got a lot of attacking players

and he's probably sixth or seventh and down the list.

Where does that leave the American international?

Get out of there.

When the opportunity of AC Milan came up,

there were a lot of things that lent themselves

to one thinking this could be a really interesting transfer.

We asked Giroud here on "Morning Footy"

about Christian potentially moving to Milan

and he was like, "Ooh, ooh, I like."

Ooh, ooh, love it.

Chelsea's sporting directors

would write to Christian's agent

that Christian was tanking it in training

and not playing well.

Completely lies.

Once that started to happen,

it was go time.

Christian Pulisic has left Chelsea after four years

and completed a permanent transfer to AC Milan.

Christian Pulisic has agreed terms with AC Milan.

Yeah, very excited, very excited.

You reach these heights,

the Mount Olympus of football.

The fact that he did that for the U.S. as an American.

As a proud American.

It's like, put some respect on our name.

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ It came to me in the dead of night ♪

♪ It came to me in a dream ♪

♪ With a sound that ran so very clear ♪

♪ So very soft and sweet ♪

♪ It was like sunshine on my soul ♪

♪ It was like music to my ears ♪

♪ I had to get up right on out the door ♪

♪ And get away from here ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh ♪

♪ As you get up right on out that door ♪

♪ And get away from here ♪

♪ I won't let nothing weigh me down ♪

♪ Gonna face up to my fears ♪

♪ Get up right on out that door ♪

♪ And get away from here ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh ♪

♪ Gonna get up right on out that door ♪

♪ And get away from here ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh ♪

♪ Gotta get up right on out that door ♪

♪ And get away from here ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh-oh, yeah ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh ♪

♪ Gotta get up right on out that door ♪

♪ And get away from here ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh ♪

♪ Gotta get up right on out that door ♪

♪ And get away from here, yeah ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Whoo-ooh-oh ♪

♪ Gotta get up right on out that door ♪

♪ And get away from here ♪