‘I Believe in Him’: How Ruben Amorim Plans to Unleash ‘Perfect’ Christian Pulisic at AC Milan

“He is perfect for the way I think about football.” Ruben Amorim was emphatic in his assessment of Christian Pulisic, and Premier League followers will recognise that trademark certainty. The Portuguese coach, whose spell at Manchester United made him one of English football’s most debated figures, has taken charge at AC Milan and immediately identified the former Chelsea winger as the centrepiece of his project. For Pulisic, coming off a difficult World Cup with the USMNT, the timing could hardly matter more.

Amorim’s System and Where Pulisic Fits

Anyone who watched Amorim in the Premier League knows he lives and dies by his 3-4-3. The two narrow attacking midfielders operating behind the striker are the heartbeat of the shape, and that is precisely where Amorim sees Pulisic: drifting between the lines, arriving in the box and finishing moves. “I believe in him,” the coach declared, publicly anointing the American as a cornerstone of his Milan.

It is a striking contrast with Amorim’s time in England, where he often lacked profiles suited to those inside-forward roles. In Pulisic, who has been Milan’s most consistent attacker since leaving Chelsea, the coach inherits a player seemingly built for the job. The early message from Milanello is clear: the system is non-negotiable, and Pulisic is its first name on the teamsheet.

From a Difficult World Cup to a Defining Season

The 2026 World Cup on home soil was supposed to be Pulisic’s crowning moment with the US men’s national team. Instead, it became a tournament to forget, leaving the face of American soccer facing hard questions. At 27, the ‘wonderkid’ label is long gone: this is the stage of his career where big-club stardom either gets confirmed or quietly slips away.

That is what makes Amorim’s backing so significant. English fans watched Pulisic struggle for a settled role at Chelsea, where injuries and rotation stalled his momentum. In Serie A he rediscovered his rhythm, and now a manager has built a system with him at its heart. A strong season at San Siro would be the emphatic answer to his World Cup disappointment.

The Premier League Subplot: Amorim’s Second Act

For English audiences, this story doubles as Amorim’s redemption arc. His Manchester United tenure divided opinion like few managerial spells in recent memory, with his refusal to compromise on the 3-4-3 becoming a weekly talking point. At Milan, he gets a fresh squad, a different league and another chance to prove his ideas travel.

There is also a familiar cast around this story for Premier League watchers: Pulisic arrived from Chelsea, and Serie A has become a popular destination for players and managers with English football pasts. If Amorim turns Milan into a title contender with a former Premier League winger as his talisman, the debate about his United spell will be reopened, this time with evidence in his favour.

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