Christian Pulisic explains how he will replace Eden Hazard at Chelsea and why working with Frank Lampard is 'amazing'

Christian Pulisic explains how he will replace Eden Hazard at Chelsea and why working with Frank Lampard is 'amazing'

Christian Pulisic has joined up with his new Chelsea team-mates on their pre-season tour of Japan and has big shoes to fill after the departure of Eden Hazard.

The USA international was signed from Borussia Dortmund in January for £58 but spent the rest of the season at the German club before arriving at Stamford Bridge this summer.

The 20-year-old has become a replacement for Hazard since the Belgian departed for Real Madrid during this transfer window and the Blues are under a transfer ban so cannot sign anyone else in Hazard's position.

Whether he was signed with this in mind or not, Pulisic believes he has the qualities to improve the Chelsea team in Hazard's absence.

'I think I have a lot of speed and creativity that I can bring to the game; quickness and different attacking abilities that can really help the team,' the American told GAFFER Magazine.

'I think I have some tools that can really do well in this league [Premier League]. I just can't wait.'

Christian Pulisic explains how he will replace Eden Hazard at Chelsea and why working with Frank Lampard is 'amazing'

Pulisic was certainly not aware that Hazard was on the way out of Stamford Bridge as he spoke as recently as May about his desire to play in the same side as him.

'It is incredible to see what Eden can do,' the American told BBC Sport. 'He is a guy to look up to and what I would love to become.

'It is definitely a goal. Any player would be dumb not to want to be in the same team as him.'

The former Dortmund star is enjoying his new start at Chelsea, especially as he is working with a man he has watched closely over the years in Frank Lampard.

The versatile midfielder and forward is full of praise for his new boss and is delighted to be taking on a new challenge in the Premier League.

'When I think of this club, there's a lot of great players that come to mind,' he continued to GAFFER. 'I grew up watching Frank Lampard and all of those guys at the top of their game in the Premier League and in the Champions League.

'To me, Chelsea were always one of the biggest teams and now to be playing here, it's really come full circle from that moment. It feels amazing.'

Chelsea are next in action against Kawasaki Frontale in Yokohama on Friday, before taking on Barcelona in Saitama next Tuesday.

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