Christian Pulisic is taking his talents to Italy, leaving Chelsea and the Premier League to join AC Milan in Serie A.
In Milan, Pulisic will reunite with several old friends and teammates, including Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Olivier Giroud, the French striker who scored 18 goals and added seven assists in all competitions with the Rossoneri last season.
Pulisic and Giroud were teammates at Chelsea from 2019 to 2021, winning the Champions League together during the 2020-21 season. They had quite the connection in England, one that was put on display in July 2020.
Before a game against Norwich City, video from a tunnel camera appeared to show Giroud giving Pulisic specific instructions for a pass from the wing. Pulisic seemed to follow those instructions perfectly, because he delivered a well-placed cross to Giroud from the left wing just before halftime.
Giroud scored what ended up being the deciding goal in a 1-0 victory:
It was all part of the brief! 😉#CHENOR pic.twitter.com/PMA1YqyaH7
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 14, 2020
Giroud was clearly pleased with Pulisic’s pass, so much so that he shoved a teammate out of the way so he could celebrate with the American before anyone else.
Giroud left Chelsea after the 2020-2021 season to join AC Milan. During an interview on “Morning Footy” in May, Giroud was asked about his time in England and his on-field connection with Pulisic.
“My understanding on the pitch with him was top, a bit like Eden [Hazard], even if I played less with Christian,” Giroud told CBS Sports. “He was that kind of player who is very skillful. He can dribble, he can play the one-two — he knew how to use me on the pitch and vice versa. We had good times together. … He’s a very, very talented player.”
They are now reunited in Italy and the 24-year-old Pulisic should have plenty of opportunities to send in more crosses to Giroud after the 36-year-old striker signed a contract extension with Milan in April.
[lawrence-related id=14700,22165,22178,21906,21813]