Christian Pulisic is out of the question: when he takes the field, he produces numbers like a top player. But the constant muscle injuries are becoming a structural problem for Ruben Amorim's Milan. In the 2025/26 season, the American finished with 12 goals and 8 assists in 28 appearances, numbers that place him among the best in the Rossoneri squad.
Pulisic at Milan with Amorim: risks and numbers of a fragil…
However, four muscle injuries have limited his availability to less than 60% of official matches, a fact that clashes with the ambition of a project built on continuity and resilience. The last stop, a calf problem that kept him out of the friendly USA vs. Australia of 5 June 2026, has reignited the debate: does it still make sense to bet on a player who struggles to stay on the pitch?
Pulisic's physical problems are not an isolated case. Over the past three years, its average availability stands at 62%, with a low of 55% in 2024/25 and a peak of 68% in 2023/24. Numbers which, in a championship like Serie A where physicality is increasingly decisive, become an Achilles' heel.
Especially now that Milan is preparing for a summer of transition under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, a coach who prefers a solid and structured squad. Pulisic's physical fragility also emerges in comparison to the top European players. According to Opta data, only 34% of players with at least 50 appearances in Serie A in the last three years have an availability lower than 70%, while Pulisic ranks in the lowest 10%.
This gap widens further if we consider the attacking players: among the 20 best scorers in Serie A 2025/26, only two have an appearance percentage lower than 65%, and Pulisic is one of these. The trend is even more worrying when you analyze the economic impact. 5 million euros gross per season, a figure which, when compared to actual appearances, translates into over 160,000 euros per match played.
A disproportionate cost compared to players like Rafael Leão or Marcus Thuram, who, despite having similar salaries, guarantee an average attendance of over 80%. In a market where every euro counts, Pulisic's convenience becomes increasingly questionable. "Pulisic is an extraordinary talent, but his recent history tells us that he cannot be the linchpin of an ambitious project," said a Rossoneri manager on condition of anonymity.
" A deeper analysis of Pulisic's data reveals a disturbing trend: his injuries are not only muscular, but also related to problems with coordination and general physical condition. This suggests that the problem is not only of a physical nature, but also of preparation and workload management. Milan will therefore have to evaluate not only the possibility of renewing Pulisic's contract, but also of implementing a personalized physical conditioning program to help him reduce the risk of injuries.
Furthermore, the choice of Amorim as Milan coach introduces a further element of uncertainty in Pulisic's future. Amorim is known for his emphasis on fitness and resilience, and may therefore be reluctant to place a bet on a player who is unable to provide consistent presence. This could lead to a reduction in Pulisic's role in the team, or even his sale in the summer transfer window.
Milan will therefore have to carefully evaluate the options available and make a decision that takes into account not only Pulisic's talent, but also the needs of the team and Amorim's project. What will happen from now on? Milan will have to decide whether to focus on Pulisic from a tactical perspective or look for alternative solutions as early as the next transfer market.
The Rossoneri management, aware of the risks, will evaluate every option: from the extension of the contract to more stringent conditions to the search for a replacement ready to guarantee continuity. One thing is certain: time is running out, and Amorim will not wait for Pulisic's muscles to align with his project. Read at MilanNews24
Why this matters
Milan aims to return to competitiveness in Europe by relying on Pulisic, but his chronic injuries risk compromising the season even before Ruben Amorim can build a tailor-made team. The choice between talent and reliability becomes crucial for the future of the Rossoneri, with economic and sporting implications that go beyond the individual player.
Frequently asked
How many muscle injuries has Pulisic suffered in the 2025/26 season?
In the 2025/26 season Christian Pulisic suffered four muscle injuries, which limited his availability to less than 60% of official matches.
What were Pulisic's numbers in the 2025/26 season?
In the 2025/26 season Pulisic scored 12 goals and provided 8 assists in 28 appearances, numbers of a top player but with an average points per match of less than 0.75 due to stops.
What changes with the arrival of Ruben Amorim at Milan?
Ruben Amorim arrives with a technical project based on physical structure and continuity, but Pulisic represents a risk for the stability of the project due to his recurring muscular problems.
How much did Pulisic's latest injury impact the US national team?
The latest calf injury forced Pulisic to miss the USA vs. Australia of 5 June 2026, rekindling the debate on his reliability even at club level.
What is Pulisic's availability percentage in the last three years?
Over the last three years, Christian Pulisic has recorded an average availability of 62%, with minimum peaks in 2024/25 (55%) and maximums in 2023/24 (68%).
How is Pulisic positioned compared to the other top players in Serie A in terms of availability?
According to Opta data, Pulisic is among the 10% of players with at least 50 appearances in Serie A in the last three years with an availability percentage of less than 70%, and among the top 20 scorers of Serie A 2025/26 only two have an appearance percentage of less than 65%.
