Chelsea news: The Blues will be hoping that their star winger can come back fit and firing in order to lead a big European push.
Christian Pulisic has perhaps never had it so hard at Chelsea. For most of his time in London, the American has been close to the starting XI, either missing out on rotation or due to injury. It's not always been a smooth ride but he's been in the conversation.
Ziyech himself never got the right-hand side he wanted to thrive, Kai Havertz has been used as a striker more than would have been planned in 2020 and Mason Mount is now more of an attacker than a midfielder. Pulisic has always been part of the mix.
He now has a chance to shine for his country again, capturing the attention of a nation as he did at the World Cup. It's also a fresh opportunity to show Graham Potter how important he can still be, especially with European experience and two legs against Real Madrid coming up.
It sounds simple but Chelsea don't score enough. They lack natural finishers and any semblance of a dominant goal-getter. Pulisic has never really been this player in his career but for USA he nearly has a one-in-two ratio, much better than his club numbers and also more than his club teammates can boast.
Even without good friend Tyler Adams in the camp, videos from the Orlando training sessions have shown a brilliant atmosphere for those part of Anthony Hudson's squad. If Pulisic can foster this and enjoy his time away, getting back to playing with freedom, then it will help both player and club get the best out of each other.
In January he was afforded that chance due to injuries elsewhere in the squad but he himself was caught in an unfortunate challenge and then missed two months. By the time he had returned Chelsea had spent over £160m on new attackers.
If there is to be a new chapter in the Pulisic story at SW6 then it needs to come in the next two-and-a-half months. The only way to do that would be to stay fit, build up fitness whilst away and come back ready to compete for a first-team spot straight away.