Virgil van Dijk makes Chelsea transfer confession as Christian Pulisic admits 'difficulties'

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Pulisic reveals ‘crazy’ introduction to Chelsea teammates


Christian Pulisic has spoken of his “crazy” first day as a Chelsea player following his arrival from Borussia Dortmund last year.

The 21-year-old was signed for £58m having impressed in the Bundesliga.


And he was immediately pushed into the thick of it at Chelsea, flying out to Japan on his own to join the club’s pre-season tour of East Asia.

“It was all pretty crazy what happened,” Pulisic told the 13&MEpodcast. “I had to fly straight from my summer break right after the Gold Cup. I had one week off and I didn’t really get a summer. The team had already started pre-season in Japan so I flew straight there and I had to literally fly by myself and then met the team who had flown from London.

“I had to go straight to the hotel and the next thing on the schedule was to go straight to training. I was tired, nervous and didn’t know what to think but ‘I’m at Chelsea and this is insane’.





“I got on the bus, they had just arrived as well. Everyone is half asleep, I go and sit on the bus and nobody even noticed me. Nobody said anything. There were maybe one or two guys who said ‘hey hello’ and I was like what’s going on here?

“Those first couple of days of training I was nervous. You know how it’s like when you move to a new team. They’re nice guys off the field but to earn that respect you have to show on the field you have that ability, that’s just how it is.”

Van Dijk reveals why he chose Liverpool over Chelsea

Virgil van Dijk has explained why he opted to move to Liverpool in 2018 instead of a potential switch to Chelsea or Manchester City.

The Dutch defender has excelled for the European champions since arriving from Southampton.

And he was a target for several other clubs during the January transfer window which saw him join Liverpool.

“Before I made the decision to choose Liverpool, I looked at all the aspects of the clubs; the way of playing, the team-mates, the future as well,” said Van Dijk.

“The city, the fans, everything has got to be a big part of joining a club.

“I think Liverpool at that time when I made the decision was the right decision and obviously to reach the Champions League final in my first six months was obviously a big bonus and helped me a lot in my development, especially experience-wise.”

Napoli forward ‘top priority’ for Chelsea

Napoli’s Dries Mertens is a “top priority” for Chelsea in the summer transfer window, according to Het Laatste Nieuws.

The Belgium international is out of contract in June and has yet to agree a new deal with the Serie A club.

Napoli were optimistic that his contract would be extended, but the coronavirus crisis and the subsequent postponement of football has interrupted negotiations.

Mertens was believed to be on Chelsea’s radar in January, as the Blues searched for a replacement for Olivier Giroud.

The 33-year-old is, according to Het Laatste Nieuws, “ready for a new challenge”, but Chelsea are expected to face competition for his signature from Inter and PSG.