Christian Pulisic’s start to his Chelsea career is set to be disrupted with the USA keen to take their £58million striker to the Gold Cup this summer.
The United States want to pick their strongest squad possible, with Pulisic included, for the CONCACAF tournament which runs from June 15 to July 7.
If they go deep into the competition, it will see the 20-year-old miss the start of Chelsea’s pre-season because of the recommended three weeks’ rest before beginning work for the new campaign at his new club.
This Gold Cup is particularly important to the US as it will be the first opportunity for the American players to work at length under new manager Gregg Berhalter and restore pride after missing out on last year’s World Cup.
Chelsea are heading to Yokohama, Japan, in pre-season as part of a period Maurizio Sarri sees as vital if he is to have the opportunity to get his players properly adapted to his style.
Chelsea supporters are due a preview glimpse of Pulisic when his Borussia Dortmund side face Tottenham at Wembley in the Champions League on Wednesday.
He signed in January but returned on loan to the Bundesliga club for the rest of the season.
‘It’s a chance to show them what I’m about,’ said Pulisic, who scored a brilliant solo goal last week as Dortmund crashed out of the German Cup on penalties after a 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen.
‘I’ve had a great time here and I really want to finish strong. We’re doing everything we can. We’ve got to focus on the league and the Champions League. We wanted to win the Cup as well but that’s gone.
‘When it comes the Champions League we’re in the knock-out rounds and anything can happen. We reached our goal getting here and now we fight and want to win the game. We want to go as far as we can.’
Help Dortmund beat Spurs and he can expect to become an instant hero with Chelsea fans.
‘Sounds good,’ said Pulisic. ‘I don’t look at that stuff all that much. I’m just trying to focus here and trying to enjoy the rest of my time here.’