Landon Donovan: 'Chelsea's Christian Pulisic should have chosen MLS over AC Milan'

Landon Donovan has suggested that he is disappointed that Christian Pulisic has not explored a transfer to MLS rather than pushing to join AC Milan.

With a year left on his contract at Chelsea, it has been known for some time that the United States star would leave Stamford Bridge for a new club.

Despite interest from Lyon, Pulisic is on the brink of signing for Milan, who have finally moved close to finalising an agreement with Chelsea.

If the 24-year-old completes a transfer to San Siro, he will represent a club that reached the Champions League semi-finals during 2022-23.

Nevertheless, Donovan holds a different opinion over Pulisic's career path at a time when MLS have just managed to attract the services of Lionel Messi.

© Reuters

The World Cup winner has ended his career-long stint in Europe to make the switch to Inter Miami, who he is expected to start representing later this month.

Speaking to FOX Sports, Donovan feels that Pulisic, as one of American football's poster boys, could have realistically made the switch to a team such as Los Angeles Galaxy ahead of the World Cup being held Stateside in 2026.

Donovan said: "The World Cup is coming in three years. This is once in a lifetime. He's going to be in the prime of his career, his life as a soccer player, his earning potential — I'm sure he's making plenty of money — but the ability to come to MLS kind of like Messi did. I'm not so sure that wasn't a big reason for Messi, the World Cup coming here.

"I think it would have been a great move for the Galaxy to go out and get Christian. Bring him here, pay whatever you have to pay him. Bring an American superstar who has global recognition back to MLS ahead of the World Cup.

© Reuters

"I think it would have been a great move and I can hear the Twitterverse going crazy."

Although Pulisic has not been representing the Stars and Stripes at the Gold Cup, he remains their key man having contributed 25 goals from 60 appearances for his country.

That is despite Pulisic dropping down the pecking order at Chelsea during his four years in West London, subsequently leading to the attacker wishing to take on a fresh challenge.

Milan are allegedly prepared to pay an £18.8m fee to wrap up a deal for Pulisic, with the transfer expected to be completed later this week.