USA legend, Eric Wynalda, would not be surprised if fellow countryman, Christian Pulisic, was to sign for Newcastle and it could be a match made in heaven according to the 106-time American international. Wynalda believes that a move for Pulisic would be a no-brainer for the Toon, not just on the field, but off it too.
Speaking to the Vegas Insider Podcast, he said: “If you have a chance to move for someone like Christian Pulisic, who has had a wonderful World Cup, then you do it.
“There’s also the marketing side of things. Everyone in America will buy a Newcastle jersey tomorrow if that happens.
“If Newcastle put in a sweet offer in front of him, I wouldn’t be surprised if he moves. Especially with Newcastle making a push. They have a chance to be in the top four. It would be wonderful to see Pulisic be part of a team that finishes in the top four.
“Eddie Howe has Almiron who has exploded this season. It took him a while to get into this kind of form and be effective. He plays on the right and cuts in on that left foot. This Newcastle team has fewer places for competition.
“This Newcastle team is not the same as Chelsea where Pulisic is fighting with Sterling, Gallagher, Ziyech, and Mount. Chelsea is a battle to get on the field. Pulisic isn’t scared or worried about having to fight for his place, as it wouldn’t be any easier at Newcastle. Saint-Maximin is a great player but if you’re Eddie Howe you want to stack your team.”
Via [The Mag]
The fact that Pulisic would help Newcastle to sell jerseys and boost popularity in the US is an intriguing point. The club, of course, is a religion on Tyneside, but elsewhere in the world, we lag far behind the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool, and Man City. Breaking into the US market could be of huge financial benefit to the club.
Our recent trip to Saudi Arabia has shown the club’s popularity in that country and spreading the word of the Toon Army elsewhere around the globe will be very much on the board’s mind. With the Financial Fair Play rules restricting what we can spend, every bit of extra income from jersey sales and merchandising would be a big help in that regard.
Of course, breaking into the American market would not be the main reason for signing Pulisic. The Chelsea attacker is a cracking player and just the type that is needed in the squad at this present minute. I think he would be a really good signing – the jersey sales would be an added extra.