Pulisic: I’m not at Chelsea to replace Hazard

Christian Pulisic insists he has not been acquired by Chelsea as a direct replacement for Eden Hazard.

The Blues had no idea that a Belgium international forward would be moving on when they put a £58 million ($74m) deal in place with Borussia Dortmund for Pulisic in January.

It was being suggested that Hazard could leave, with talk of interest from Real Madrid never far away, and contingency plans were put in place.

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Chelsea have since been stung with a two-window transfer ban, so moving in the winter window for a United States international proved to be a shrewd decision.

Much is now expected of Pulisic, who is just 20 years of age, but he maintains that he is under no pressure…