Christian Pulisic, who joined AC Milan from Chelsea last summer, made a strong debut season, netting 12 goals and providing 8 assists in 36 league matches as Milan finished second to Inter.
Portugal’s Rafael Leao was not surprised by Pulisic’s impact, having sent him a motivational message before the season began. “I knew the quality of Christian [Pulisic]. When he arrived, I sent him a message and I told him ‘bro, let’s kill them’. I needed someone like him,” Leao told ESPN.
Pulisic played mostly on the wings under Stefano Pioli but also took on a more central role. Leao hopes to see Pulisic continue in the No. 10 position under new coach Paulo Fonseca.
“I’m very happy to have him as a team-mate, he’s a player who can change the game in a second,” he added. “I’m happy with him and I expect him to repeat himself, or rather maybe improve further in the season that is about to begin. I’m not a coach, but I prefer Christian when he plays as a number 10. From the centre he has the ability to occupy space both on the left and on the right. I think he can be very dangerous in that position, but in general he does very well both as an attacking midfielder and on the right. As a 10 he would give me some assists, we could play fast, with one-twos or with a touch in the middle of the field… he can do everything.”
Pulisic, Leao, and their AC Milan teammates are currently in the United States preparing for the Serie A season. They will face Real Madrid next and then Barcelona before kicking off their domestic campaign against Torino on August 17.