Chelsea manager Graham Potter will be carefully observing the progress of his players at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, noting the high and lows of the tournament and assessing who might return to Stamford Bridge on the back of some stellar form.

One such player is Christian Pulisic, who has been electric for USMNT thus far, proving to be a constant, sharp thorn in the sides of his opposition, most recently scoring the winner against Iran to send his national team to the knockout phase.

Pulisic, who has failed to truly cement a starting role at the Blues since moving to the club from Borussia Dortmund for £57.6m in 2019, has been astounding in Qatar, and will be hoping that he can emulate his international efforts upon returning to Stamford Bridge at the latter stage of December. 

‘Captain America’ has scored 26 goals and served 21 assists in 133 appearances, as per Transfermarkt, for the Blues, also winning the 20/21 Champions League with the club.

This season, the American has made 18 appearances for Chelsea, starting just five times, scoring just one goal and providing just two assists, and has consequently found himself at the centre of speculation over a potential loan move away from the club, with Manchester United interested.

But the 54-cap international will be hoping that such scintillating performances on the global stage will tempt Potter to offer the ace the platform to flourish in West London. 

Indeed, as per Sofascore, the 24-year-old has recorded an average rating of 7.27 across the group phase of the World Cup, the highest of any USA player.

Pulisic has offered 2.0 shots per match, whilst also creating one big chance and completing 78% of his passes in his frontal role. 

Described as a “magician” by sport writer Al Butler for his efforts at the tournament, Potter will be hoping to utilise such wizardry once again at Stamford Bridge, with his side currently eighth in the Premier League table after 14 matches, scoring just 17 goals. 

With Potter indeed undoubtedly watching his players like a hawk, Pulisic can rest easy knowing he has emphatically succeeded in reminding the world of his pedigree, weaving past hapless defenders with ease and unknitting opposition with dangerous crosses and menacing runs into space. 

Against Iran, such a darting run bore fruit, with his tenacity in the box resulting in a sweet connection to bypass the Iranian goal, although he was withdrawn at half-time as a result after entangling with keeper Alireza Beiranvand in the process. 

Ultimately, Pulisic will need to take his good form back to England, but after such galvanising performances for his country, Potter might think twice about parting with such a devastating offensive weapon.