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Christian Pulisic should consider snubbing a potential move to Liverpool this summer if the Premier League side follow up on their rumoured interest in the USA star. That's according to USMNT icon Brad Friedel, who played 31 times for the Merseyside club between 1997 and 2000. His 450 Premier League appearances mean that Friedel, 55, is more qualified than most when talking about the pressure of playing in England. And he has advised the 27-year-old to weigh up his happiness before deciding on his future this summer.
Pulisic is currently contracted to AC Milan after joining the Italian giants from Chelsea for €20.8 million in July 2023. The American star only showed glimpses of his ability in west London, where he was hampered by a series of injuries to halt his momentum. He was also burdened with the difficult job of replacing Eden Hazard, having been signed from Borussia Dortmund for €64 million in 2019, and scored only 26 goals in 145 appearances for the Blues.
But his performances for Milan have reopened the possibility of a move back to England, with Liverpool and Newcastle the most likely destinations if he decides to return. Once Pulisic's international duty with the USA is complete, he will be able to focus on a big decision ahead.
Why Newcastle makes more sense for Pulisic
Liverpool are keen to sign a forward this summer following Mohamed Salah's emotional departure. Replacing Salah's goals won't be easy by any stretch, and the Reds may view a young player with world-class potential - such as Yan Diomande - as a more suitable fit.
Newcastle are also searching for a new left winger to replace Anthony Gordon, who joined Barcelona in a €80 million deal earlier this month, and speculation has linked them with an approach for Pulisic. The Magpies are closing in on the signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna for a rumoured €40 million fee, but the 22-year-old may need some time to adapt to life in on Tyneside.
Signing a plug-and-play attacker like Pulisic, in the midst of his prime years, may help Eddie Howe fill the void left by Gordon. And after three years in Milan without success, Pulisic may be looking for a fresh start after watching his market value fall by €20 million last season. Friedel believes that the pressure of replacing Salah could be too great for Pulisic to stomach and backed him to succeed if a move to Newcastle materialised.
"As far as talent, he has the talent to definitely play at Newcastle," Friedel told Freebets.com. "Liverpool is a different element because if he did go there, he's immediately going to face the question of whether he's the right replacement for Salah. And I don't know if that's fair, with what Salah did over a decade. So that one holds a lot more pressure than moving to Newcastle. He and his representatives, his family, they'll weigh all those options. There's only one person that knows if it's good for him, and that's Christian himself."
Can Pulisic handle the pressure?
The Hershey-born attacker has found solace in Italy, however, and enjoyed a fine campaign in 2024/25 for the Rossoneri, registering 29 goal contributions in all competitions. His returns dipped last term, however, scoring just eight goals in the league as Milan failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Currently at the World Cup with the USMNT squad, Pulisic may be weighing up his next move and using the tournament to put himself in the shop window. As the team captain, he has proved he can handle the weight of the country on his shoulders and may be better-equipped if he decides to return to England.
Asked whether he should consider such a move, Friedel said: "That's entirely up to Christian. He has the quality to play and be very consistent over a long period of time in the Premier League. He's actually one of the US players I don't know personally — when I was in the Under-20 and Under-19 national team set-up, Jürgen Klinsmann had already called him into the first team, and then I was out of the federation and went into head coaching at MLS, and he was always over in Europe. So I've never come across him.
"In one telling interview, he said he was enjoying life in Italy a bit better because it was easier off the field than it was when he was at Chelsea. He felt there was a lot more pressure at Chelsea off the field. Now, I don't know if he meant what was going on in his personal life or if it was just the pressure of football — that's where I don't know him personally. So what I would say is: find the place where you feel most at ease and most at peace, and go play your football there, so you can enjoy your football."
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