Christian Pulisic has sent a warning to Chelsea’s Champions League rivals by saying: ‘I wouldn’t want to play us in this competition’.
The Blues have been drawn to face Champions League holders Real Madrid in the quarter-finals after their last-16 win over Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea beat Real Madrid on their way to winning the UEFA Champions League in 2021 but lost to Carlo Ancelotti’s side in last year’s competition.
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Chelsea’s run to the quarter-finals was not guaranteed as Graham Potter’s side have struggled domestically, slipping to a mid-table position in the Premier League.
But Pulisic believes the tide is starting to turn at Stamford Bridge after three consecutive wins and says ‘all of a sudden’ Chelsea are a ‘dangerous’ opponent.
If Chelsea beat Real Madrid, they will face Manchester City or Bayern Munich for a place in the Champions League final.
‘I wouldn’t want to play us in the Champions League, I’ll say that much,’ Pulisic told ESPN.
‘I think we were in a similar situation as far as the last time we won the Champions League. Half-way through the year, struggling in the league and a lot of people counting out us. Look what happened then…
‘Has it been easy in recent weeks? No, but I’m proud of the way the team has overcome it and the last week that we’ve had, getting three wins in a row.
‘I’m feeling a lot of confidence now and it’s crazy how fast things can change in football, it’s a snap of a finger.
‘All of a sudden you start to feel that confidence – especially in a team with a lot of new players – you start to feel each other out more. The team all of a sudden looks like a dangerous team to play against.
‘Is it going to be easy? No. Are we going to have big fights, tough battles and big teams that we’re going to play against to get there? 100% – but we’re ready for it and we’re excited by the challenge.’
