Pulisic Is Eager To Participate In The Olympics But The Decision Is In Tuchel's Hands

Christian Pulisic (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - United States national team midfielder Christian Pulisic said he would like to play in the Tokyo Olympics if the United States qualifies. However, it all depends on the club Chelsea.

The Olympics were classified by FIFA as an U-23 tournament which later became an U-24 tournament after the Tokyo Olympics were postponed. However, the team can still be strengthened by three senior players over the age of 23 or 24 years.

The timing of the Olympics means Pulisic may not take part in Chelsea's pre-season tour, although he wants to impress Blues coach Thomas Tuchel even more.

The US summer squad will likely be filled with mostly domestic players because players who play in Europe need time off, one of which is Pulisic.

"The Olympics are something I think about and want to play," Pulisic told Zoom's meeting with reporters. "Obviously I have no power over what is going to happen. The best for me at that time and the best for the team at that time, obviously I cannot say. But the Olympics are what I want to play."

The US is currently involved in the CONCACAF zone Olympic qualifiers and faces Mexico this Thursday morning in the final group stage match that determines which teams will qualify for this weekend's semifinals. The Tokyo Olympics will be held from July 21 to August 7.

The US men's national team manager Gregg Berhalter will not be able to rely on his core team if they qualify because apart from the Olympics they also face a busy schedule for 2021 in the CONCACAF Nations League, CONCACAF Gold Cup and World Cup qualifiers.

"If we were in a perfect world, I would like nothing more than to see my best group compete in the Olympics, that would be amazing," Berhalter said as quoted by Antara from ESPN.