Chelsea sign Christian Pulisic: 58m winger NOT a direct replacement for Eden Hazard, says football journalist Raphael Honigstein

Chelsea sign Christian Pulisic: 58m winger NOT a direct replacement for Eden Hazard, says football journalist Raphael Honigstein
Chelsea signed American wonderkid Christian Pulisic on his own merit and NOT as a potential replacement for Eden Hazard, German football correspondent Raphael Honigstein has told talkSPORT.Borussia Dortmund confirmed on Wednesday they had agreed to sell the winger to the Premier League giants for 58million.4

Chelsea have signed Christian Pulisic for 58m

He will move to Stamford Bridge in the summer, with the 20-year-old remaining with Dortmund for the rest of the season as part of the deal.Many have suggested Pulisic has been signed as a long-term replacement for Hazard, whose Blues future remains uncertain.The Belgian has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid and while a switch during the January transfer window appears very unlikely, there is every chance he could go in the summer.

"Does this signal Eden Hazard's exit? I think it might?"@JimWhite questions Eden Hazard's future after Christian Pulisic's signing.Do you think Hazard has a future at Chelsea? pic.twitter.com/6JCvKZu5nH— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) January 2, 2019

But Honigstein believes that deal is no closer to being done yet, and that playing Hazard alongside Pulisic in a Chelsea shirt next season could well get the best out of both stars.Asked for his verdict on the Blues new big-money signing, the German football expert said: He is an attacking midfielder who can play as a number ten, in the hole or out wide, but hes not an out-and-out player in any of those positions.In a way hes very versatile, but on the other hand what has worked against him this season is that he doesnt necessarily give you one thing and give you a ten out of ten in any of those positions.

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PROFILE:‘I play a similar style to Reus’ – Why Chelsea have spent 58m on Pulisic

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Pulisic, left, will spend the rest of the season at Borussia Dortmund before joining Chelsea in the summer

But he is only 20 years old and put that into context with his American brand value and the huge following he has, its not a gamble in my view. Is it expensive? Yes, but the guy has real talent.A lot of scouts think he is about the make the next step up if you put him in a more position-based environment, which is where Chelsea and Sarri come in. Honigstein also explained the United States ace is not yet the finished article at 20 years old, but has a lot of potential to be one of Chelseas top stars for the future.He is a very good player but he is not going to be, at least not immediately, an Eden Hazard type player providing you with 15 or 20 goals a season, hes more the guy who plays the last ball, he added.I think he could grow into that type of player, but he isnt quite there yet.I dont think hes a replacement for Hazard, either. In an ideal world you would have him play with Hazard and I think that would really bring the best out of Hazard, and vice versa.4

Christian Pulisic helped Dortmund to German Cup victory in the 2016/17 season

Hes not as direct, hes not as incisive just yet, but there is potential to grow into that player.I dont think Chelsea have looked at him as the guy to replace Hazard, I think he was bought on his own merit.4

Eden Hazard has yet to commit his future to Chelsea

Asked for his verdict on the Hazard to Real Madrid deal, he also said: Im not even sure Chelsea and Hazard know right now if that big move to Real Madrid will happen.Its down to Real and, as far as I know, they still havent made the move yet.Hazard is still waiting, so Im not sure it changes much.

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Canny Chelsea reach Hazard fee agreement with Real Madrid
gongsports.co.uk/football/canny-chelsea-reach-hazard-fee-agreement-with-real-madrid/
In a stunning piece of business for a player out of contract in a years' time, the Blues could rake in as much as £130m should the 28-year-old Belgian achieve a number of "easily reachable" bonuses. Hazard will sign a six-year deal at the Bernabeu after spending seven years in London at Stamford Bridge.
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