Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard raised questions over AC Milan’s potential reluctance to release Christian Pulisic for the upcoming November international break following his injury.
He suggested that the club’s handling of Pulisic’s injury could be a strategic move to limit the forward’s availability for the U.S.
Howard insisted that both Pulisic and Mauricio Pochettino must push back if AC Milan refuse to release him once he’s recovered.
“[Max] Allegri said, ‘They’re not going to be available much before the next international match,’” Howard said on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast.
“So what he’s doing – and you know this – he’s setting the table for basically saying, ‘I’m not sure Christian can come in.’
“And I hope Christian and Poch [Mauricio Pochettino] go, ‘Well, yeah, right, sure.
“I’m obviously going to be there. I’m going to be fit, and I’m going to play.’”
‘He has enough clout’
Howard believes Pulisic has enough pull at the club to advocate for his participation in the November matches, which are vital as the U.S. continue to prepare for the World Cup.
“This can’t happen to the U.S., where he gets himself fit a week and a half or two weeks before the next international break, plays for Milan, and he’s fit – and then the team or he says, ‘Yeah, well, I can’t go to the November internationals.’
“That’s crazy talk. Obviously, hopefully he’s okay – it sounds as if it’s a couple weeks – but that’s where that is, and again, for me, he has enough clout,” Howard said.
“He’s the best player, he’s one of the top players in Serie A, he’s the best American player, he puts in the performances.
“He has to be able to say, ‘Guess what? This might upset you, but I’m going in.’”
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Pulisic out for three weeks
The Rossoneri confirmed, after the October international break, that the American will be out for at least three weeks with a low-grade hamstring tear, with Nov. 23 the target for Pulisic.
The 27-year-old has starred for AC Milan this season, contributing to eight goals in as many games across all competitions, with six in as many Serie A games.
“[Adrien] Rabiot and Pulisic will hardly be available before the next international break.
“We’ll have them back fresher in November,” Allegri said.
If that target date holds, Pulisic would miss the U.S.’s friendlies against Paraguay (Nov. 15) and Uruguay (Nov. 18).
He has made six appearances for the national team this year.
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