Sports
‘Ups and downs’: Christian Pulisic on FA Cup final redemption and his Chelsea future
As a player who himself offers such sharp turns, Christian Pulisic finds it’s better to follow his instincts than overthink them.
This has after all been a season that could have gone in so many different directions at so many defining moments. Chelsea could have been champions, and certainly should have been title contenders. It could have been Pulisic’s year, and the player’s father feels he should have played much more.
At the same time, Chelsea could well have gone out of business. There’s an element of symmetry about the fact that the club now look to have new owners secure before a domestic cup final against Liverpool, when the build-up to their last domestic cup final against Liverpool saw the first questions about Roman Abramovich’s future raised in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
That Carabao Cup final was itself a game that summed up much of this. Chelsea were the equal of a team that may now be the best in Europe, and could have secured another trophy had a shot off the post, marginal offside call or shootout penalty gone a different way.
Little wonder Pulisic says it’s been a season of “ups and downs”, and that he’d rather just look to the positives.
One is the fact that Saturday is set to be a beautifully sunny day at Wembley, which will be full for the FA Cup final for the first time since 2019.
Pulisic played in that final too, scoring before getting injured against Arsenal, but was on the losing side then too. He is looking forward to a proper experience of what the day is really supposed to be about – and the challenge of preventing Chelsea becoming the first club to lose three consecutive finals.
“Wembley is an incredible stadium and when it’s full it’s even better, so I think it’s going to be a great night. Playing in an FA Cup final without any limitations I’ll enjoy that,” he says. “For sure, the last two have been very tough to be on the wrong side. They were both very close. It’s a cup I definitely want to add to my collection.”
Much of Pulisic’s experience will of course depend on whether he gets on the pitch. The American star has appeared in just over half of Chelsea’s matches this season, and often out of his best position. It has been a source of frustration, most of all to his father, who took to social media to complain about how his son is not used more.
Pulisic himself is much more diplomatic.
“Yeah I think I of course want to be on the pitch, and recently with the limited times that I have had I have been trying to make as big of an impact as I can. And prove that I should be out on the pitch. Sometimes that’s how it goes. I enjoy this club a lot, and I’m looking at everything and hoping that I can get more opportunities and yeah just really get out there on the pitch and help the team.”
Where he appears on the pitch has an extra effect, though. Pulisic has been used in various roles, including wing-back, but he is clear about what brings the best out of him.
“I’m comfortable in a more attacking role, for sure, mainly coming from the left side – anywhere as a left-winger, on the left side, is where I feel most comfortable,” he says.
“I think there’s been a lot of change this season. I’ve definitely been all over the place a bit, but that’s what happens when you have a very deep squad, and I try to adapt as best I can and do the best I can wherever I’m asked to play.
“I do the absolute best I can in training, to train hard and show him every day on a daily basis that I’m ready to play. And then of course with the time that I get on the pitch I have to make an impact, and do the best you can. And in the end obviously the tough conversations, but in the end it comes down to a decision, and I am giving everything that I can to try to prove that I deserve to be out there.”
Pulisic admits that those conversations with Thomas Tuchel can go beyond “tough”.
“I mean, yeah, he can be very hard,” he says. “I think he tries to be very direct on the pitch, get his point across, so he can be very tough and aggressive at times. You never take it personally. That’s what a coach does. You just take it and move on. It has nothing to do with your character.”
It isn’t all harsh words from Tuchel, of course. He does specifically love Pulisic’s speed on the ball. Any role he has devised for the American is around that.
“Trying to use my strengths to my advantage: my speed, quickness, creativity, try to help the team to advance and score goals,” he says. “That’s my job, and I’ve had good stretches at times during this season. But of course I’d like to be more consistently on the pitch and helping the team.”
It is why he may have a chance of starting this weekend, since that pace can be a particular asset against Liverpool. The last few games have seen Jurgen Klopp’s side prove especially vulnerable to balls in behind the wing-backs – and fast players streaking onto them. It is one of a few reasons Pulisic believes Chelsea can set this season right. He thinks they can show they’re as good as Liverpool when it comes down to it, and also win that trophy.
“It’s a big match for us, we definitely want to win this against a Liverpool side that whenever we have played against them we have gone toe-to-toe this season,” he says. “We drew against them twice in the league and in the Carabao Cup final I thought we had a great performance and a lot of chances to score as well.
“It’s a team we can match up with well. They have a ton of talent and incredible players and a great manager. It’s never going to be easy. It’s one game and in football absolutely anything can happen. I don’t think we necessarily need an incredible and amazing performance. I think if we play extremely well and how we are capable of playing I think we can do it.”
If they have been that close to Liverpool in games, the question persists as to why they are so far away in the league? Did the uncertainty from the Abramovich sale affect the squad?
“I don’t think it has immensely,” Pulisic says. “It obviously affects a lot of people in different ways and I can’t speak for everyone, but what we try to do is focus on the day to day and continue to play. We are still extremely fortunate to have an opportunity to play for this club, and try to just focus on the football, that’s all we can do as players. So personally it hasn’t done a whole lot.
“I think overall we accomplished a lot. We were very close in some of our accomplishments. We put up a big fight in the Champions League, very close to making it to the semi-finals. The Carabao Cup final we put up some impressive performances, and now we have a chance in the FAC final. So I think there have definitely been ups and downs, but overall we just have to look forward. Do our best to win this, and then I think we can say it has been a pretty successful season.”
Saturday could yet involve another sharp turn.
Continue Reading
NBA veteran and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley has made his name known over the past few days with his NBA takes while joining ESPN’s popular sports debate show, “First Take”.
Beverley first defended Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden as he said the Sixers have got to give him the supermax in order to keep him. He also had a very hot take on Phoenix Suns, and future Hall of Famer, Chris Paul.
After the Suns were eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals in Game 7, there were a lot of takes going around about the former defending Western Conference champions. Beverley said that Paul can’t defend Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic and that Phoenix should have benched him rather than DeAndre Ayton.
It was a pretty wild take and it sent shockwaves throughout the league. Former NBA champion Matt Barnes came after Beverley for his take and now, Sixers guard Danny Green had something to say to Beverley:
People target you to too, Pat Bev. You ain’t playing no (expletive) defense out there. You ain’t stopping Luka. It’s time and time again I’ve seen Luka call your ass little. He’s too (expletive) small and right at you every chance he got. When you play Luka, you’re a cone too. How would you like that?
Please be advised that the clip below contains language that some might consider offensive.
Green is right. There is no reason for Beverley to go at Paul the way he did and at that point, he should give respect where it’s due.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
List
Doc Rivers lays out goals for Paul Reed, other young Sixers on roster
Related
College student calls for Sixers to fire Doc Rivers at graduation ceremony
Former Sixers star Jimmy Butler leads Heat past Celtics in Game 1
Joel Embiid to use playoffs as a lesson to grow even more as a player
Klay Thompson fiddled with his belt. Cleared his throat. Rested his head in his right hand as he recited the question back: What is the key to guarding Luka Doncic? “Um,” the Golden State Warriors star said after a 15-second pause. “I would say playing your hardest and trusting your teammates are the two keys.”
Source: Callie Caplan @ Dallas Morning News
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Three point shooting in the playoffs:
Steph Curry– 35.9%
Luka Doncic- 34.7%
Jimmy Butler- 34.8%
Volumes are clearly different, but still hilarious lol – 1:29 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Is Luka Doncic unguardable?
The Suns and the Jazz probably think so.
Experts do, too.
Analyzing how the Warriors’ defense now faces a pick-your-poison test vs. the Mavs’ star with the NBA Finals on the line: dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 11:34 AM
GeorgeZakkas @ZakkasGeorge
Vasilije #Micic: “My favorite EuroLeague player of all time was Dejan Bodiroga, Dimitris Diamantidis and I can honestly say Luka Doncic”. (via @EuroLeague) #F4GLORY pic.twitter.com/XPFyRJawTz – 11:22 AM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Over each player’s first 23 playoff games,
Luka Doncic is averaging:
* more assists than Steph Curry, Walt Frazier or Dame Lillard
* more rebounds than Giannis, Kevin Durant, or LeBron
* more 3PT’s than Ray Allen, Trae Young, Klay Thompson or Kyrie Irving
https://t.co/oTZT6yXZ82 pic.twitter.com/4FCEf8ovid – 9:27 AM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Most 40-point playoff games over the past three years:
1 .Giannis Antetokounmpo: 7
2. Luka Doncic: 6
3. Jimmy Butler: 5 – 9:22 AM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
From @Callie Caplan:
Is Luka Doncic unguardable? Warriors’ defense faces pick-your-poison test vs. Mavs’ star dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 9:15 AM
Donatas Urbonas @Urbodo
Pablo Laso on Luka Doncic:
“Probably the best thing that he has as a person and as a player is that he’s able to adjust to any situation. That’s something you have as a person. And Luka has it.” – 8:30 AM
Ryan McDonough @McDNBA
Giannis, Luka and Tatum have been terrific in the 2022 Playoffs
But no one has played better than Jimmy Butler – 11:23 PM
CJ Holmes @CjHolmes22
What’s the Warriors’ plan to slow down Luka Doncic? You’ll just have to wait and see.
https://t.co/lmDX3aFrTC pic.twitter.com/njmeG7xX5K – 8:57 PM
Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Good thing for the Kings there’s no Luka to pass on in this draft. – 8:21 PM
Connor Letourneau @Con_Chron
I wrote on the Luka Doncic-Stephen Curry dynamic, which won’t just define the Western Conference finals — it could define the NBA for years to come: sfchronicle.com/sports/warrior… – 8:03 PM
Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
Celtics in 6.
Mavs in 7.
I don’t think Miami has enough firepower and I’m firmly in the ‘this is a Luka moment’ camp.
But…
Both Heat and Warriors win Game 1.
I think Celtics-Bucks was the NBA Finals. – 7:36 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Doncic was so relaxed today. Almost chatty with reporters. His comfort level on the big stage certainly is evident on the court. Today it was evident off the court. – 6:56 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
“We weren’t fat shaming because when he was at his best, which we have seen in these playoffs, no one can touch him.”
TNT’s Reggie Miller says Jason Kidd thanked him for calling out Luka Doncic’s weight dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 6:51 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
From @Callie Caplan:
TNT’s Reggie Miller says Jason Kidd thanked him for calling out Luka Doncic’s weight dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 6:33 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
We already knew Draymond Green was a big Doncic fan. The feeling is mutual. pic.twitter.com/wBHfOX3q6e – 6:12 PM
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
After blowing out the Suns in Game 7, Luka Doncic and the Mavs will meet the Warriors in the Western Conference finals. warriorswire.usatoday.com/2022/05/15/mav… – 6:00 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Luka Doncic is in rare playoff company, but his supporting cast might separate him from other high-usage stars
cbssports.com/nba/news/luka-… – 5:52 PM
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Luka Doncic: “Obviously, Klay and Steph are incredible offensive guys, but I think the key to the Warriors’ team is Draymond. He’s just unbelievable. I really respect him and everything he does.”
That includes trash talk. “That’s the fun of the game. I love that part.” – 5:51 PM
Ryan McDonald @ryanwmcdonald
Utah basketball officially announces the signing of Luka Tarlac. A thing that may be out there but I missed when he committed: His dad Dragan was drafted by the Bulls with the 31st pick in 1995. He finally joined them in 2000 and played in 43 games as they went a spicy 15-67 – 5:45 PM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Luka Doncic soundbites on the Warriors today. He talked style of play, Draymond Green and the Chase Center crowd: “This a loud gym, man. I’m not lying.” pic.twitter.com/XKXaEEiGGK – 5:38 PM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
The Mavericks have arrived in SF for their first conference finals practice. Boban and Luka going 1 on 1 on the Chase Center floor. pic.twitter.com/D1d0r2FLvZ – 5:25 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka Doncic: “I’m living my best life right now.” pic.twitter.com/mgHc9xa1nu – 5:08 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Luka speaks pic.twitter.com/cBoNFV4wvt – 5:02 PM
CJ Holmes @CjHolmes22
Klay Thompson’s keys to defending Luka Doncic and the Mavericks are pretty simple. pic.twitter.com/8RiGdpm8UC – 4:34 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
“Playing your hardest and trusting your teammates,” Warriors forward Klay Thompson said on what is the keys to guarding Luke Doncic. – 4:33 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Warriors’ Kevon Looney on Luka Doncic-James Harden comparisons after guarding Harden in past series: “Luka’s able to post up pretty much anybody when he gets his shoulder on you. … The biggest difference is the size. Luka’s really strong. That kind of surprised me this year.” – 4:21 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
New Mismatch with @Chris Vernon previewing the conference finals, the potential for zone defense by Miami, Bam’s importance, Celtics matchups, who defends Luka, Warriors upside, plus a little semifinals debrief and draft lottery talk. open.spotify.com/episode/7kcZuT… – 4:10 PM
Michael Cunningham @MCunninghamAJC
Mavs vs. Warriors in West final is proxy for Luka vs. Trae ajc.com/sports/mike-ch… – 3:39 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
🏀 Previewing Heat-Celtics
🏀 What’s next for the Suns?
🏀 Luka will continue to go off against the Warriors
#TheMismatch: open.spotify.com/episode/7kcZuT… – 3:25 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Klay/Poole pic.twitter.com/NNPTVkPAd9 – 3:13 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Luka-Steph. Jalen-Klay. Dinwiddie-Poole. Those are the kind of matchups that most matter, but these WCF also match the NBA’s two best media relations staffs, @Golden State Warriors PR and @Dallas Mavericks PR. Lucky reporters. – 2:45 PM
NBA Math @NBA_Math
Top 25 NBA Player Power Rankings updated heading into the conference finals:
10. Al Horford
9. Jordan Poole
8. Klay Thompson
7. Bam Adebayo
6. Jalen Brunson
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
Full top 25 from @fromal09 on @Sportscasting19: https://t.co/mgWpa49wAd pic.twitter.com/eMAk3DwFZM – 10:51 AM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Q&A with Warriors GM Bob Myers on a number of topics: leaning on Steph, Klay & Draymond while developing young talent, Jordan Poole’s growth, James Wiseman’s rehab, why the team did not get a center before trade deadline & more https://t.co/iF0hWTMTay pic.twitter.com/1HMXP6lYGl – 12:12 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
The Splash Brothers have made the exact same amount of threes this playoffs.
42 — Steph
42 — Klay
(Submitted by @klaymuse) pic.twitter.com/FXgFnQpSkx – 7:02 PM
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
While Game 6 Klay handled the scoring, Kevon Looney dominated the glass against the Grizzlies with the most rebounds from a member of the Warriors in a playoff game since 1987. warriorswire.usatoday.com/2022/05/14/war… – 6:00 PM
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
After Game 6 Klay arrived to help the Warriors advance to the Western Conference Finals by eliminating the Grizzlies, NBA Twitter exploded with reactions. warriorswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-twit… – 10:00 PM
Mark Haynes @markhaynesnba
Steve Kerr on Game 6 Klay Thompson:
“I couldn’t help but feel overjoyed for Klay, given everything he’s been through, to see him knock down that final three and hold up six fingers and embrace the crowd, and vice versa. It just brought chills to me.” – 2:57 PM
More on this storyline
Perhaps the question to Thompson and the Warriors ahead of the Western Conference finals opener Wednesday night should’ve been: Is Luka Doncic basically unguardable? “Even if there were [schemes I didn’t like], then I wouldn’t say it because everybody would play that defense,” Doncic said Tuesday before the Mavericks’ practice in Chase Center. “For me, maybe I’ll see a couple more double teams this series, but that’s fine. We faced double teams the whole season, and I think we played the best when they double team. Four-on-three basketball in the NBA? We have a lot of great players, so it’s even easier on us.” -via Dallas Morning News / May 18, 2022
No wonder experts have lauded Doncic’s limitless potential and lamented the Warriors’ pick-your-poison outlook in this conference final. “Luka Doncic,” analyst Jalen Rose said Tuesday on NBA Countdown, “is the most unstoppable perimeter player in the NBA.” -via Dallas Morning News / May 18, 2022
Dinwiddie didn’t have a notable performance in this postseason until he scored 30 points and nailed five 3-pointers in 25 minutes off the bench against the Suns in Game 7. Dallas is certainly hoping to see more of that against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals, as the 6-foot-5, 215-pounder averaged 20.5 points against them in the regular season. “He is amazing with the ball,” Mavericks All-Star Luka Dončić said. “He can do a lot of things. He’s a baller. That’s the best way to describe him. We’re glad to have him.” -via Andscape / May 18, 2022
Sports50 mins ago
Sixers’ Danny Green goes in on Patrick Beverley to defend Chris Paul
Sports50 mins ago
Klay Thompson on guarding Luka Doncic: Play your hardest and trust your teammates
Sports50 mins ago
White Sox roster moves include Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn
Politics2 months ago
Proposed law in Maryland would allow mothers to kill their babies up to 28 days after birth
Politics2 months ago
California introduces new bill that would allow mothers to kill their babies up to 7 days after birth
News2 months ago
100+ nations have global agreement now being deployed called ‘Project Sandman’ to drop and end dominance of U.S. dollar and petrodollar
News23 hours ago
Miami Gardens woman arrested after she told neighbors she killed her husband and buried him in her backyard
Politics2 days ago
HHS Secretary admits Biden administration knew about baby formula shortage last year, did nothing about it
Sports7 days ago
AEW Dynamite: Owen Hart Tournaments begin, FTW title match, MJF/Wardlow contract signing for Double Or Nothing
-
Politics21 hours agoWe have the emails: Search through the new database of Hunter Biden’s ‘laptop from hell’ emails
-
News22 hours agoREVEALED: Buffalo shooter is left-wing activist seeking ‘justice for Ukraine’
-
News23 hours agoMiami Gardens woman arrested after she told neighbors she killed her husband and buried him in her backyard
-
Politics16 hours ago‘F You Guys!’: Tom Brady Reveals How He Deals with Media Critics
-
Politics24 hours agoDirty bomb drills being run in Austin, Tex., ahead of known radiological terror cells entering U.S.
-
Politics20 hours agoBREAKING: Democrats Introduce Bill To Put Americans In Quarantine Camps
-
Politics20 hours ago“Cobalt Magnet” is the codename for dirty bomb drills in Austin, TX – new intel on radicalized terrorists who will combine cobalt-60 with explosive suicide vests
-
Sports24 hours agoGoldie, Randy & Jessica will continue their Florida Panthers coverage