Watch: Christian Pulisic Assists Chelsea's Winner vs. Ajax in Champions League
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Christian Pulisic may still not be starting for Chelsea, but he's continuing to make an impact.
The U.S. international star came off the bench and assisted on Michy Batshuayi's game-winning goal against Ajax in the Champions League, helping Chelsea secure an important three points in Amsterdam on Wednesday. The assist was Pulisic's fifth in all competitions this season, and he beat potential U.S. international and Ajax right back Sergiño Dest to secure it.
Pulisic, who entered with 24 minutes to go, was spry in the attack, nearly scoring a goal of his own after pulling a low chance from 20 yards wide. He helped ensure Chelsea got the win anyway, though, taking the ball on the left channel, beating Dest and cutting a cross that was dummied through to the edge of the six-yard box. Batshuayi, who had earlier missed a chance from similar range, one-timed it home in the 86th minute for the only goal in the 1-0 win.
Whether that's enough to get Pulisic back into the starting lineup remains to be seen. Chelsea recently welcomed winger Callum Hudson-Odoi back from his Achilles injury, and Pulisic has played second-fiddle to Pedro, Willian and Mason Mount despite joining the club for $73 million from Borussia Dortmund.
With the club competing on multiple fronts, though, perhaps manager Frank Lampard uses the American in a starting role after keeping him on the bench for seven matches and omitting him entirely once over the course of Chelsea's last nine matches.
Next up for Chelsea is an away bout at Burnley for a league game on Saturday before returning home to face Manchester United in the League Cup next Wednesday.
