Chelsea have scary new partnership as Pulisic picks out duo ‘playing so well together’

Christian Pulisic is excited by Chelsea’s new midfield duo of Mateo Kovacic and Enzo Fernandez.

Christian Pulisic has noted the growing partnership between Chelsea midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Mateo Kovacic despite the disappointment of their draw with Everton on Saturday. The Blues led 2-1 at Stamford Bridge but conceded an 89th-minute equaliser which puts a dent in their hopes of finishing in the top four.

The American winger remains confident Graham Potter’s side can clinch Champions League qualification via the league despite winning just four of their last 18 top-flight games since mid-October. And he pointed out January signing Fernandez and Kovacic as two bright sparks despite the late draw against Everton.

And a confident Pulisic declared: “We have built our confidence. I like the way we are playing in a lot of ways. This game was unfortunate but we can be proud of overcoming that tough spell we had and we are trying to look forward.

“We are a confident team, we know we have good enough players to do some damage in the Champions League and we need to focus on the Prem and still fight to get in that top four and do the best we can in both competitions. If we string a couple of wins together we can make the top four.

“We still have to play the teams above us. Anything is possible. We are going to keep fighting. This squad have got to know each other. We are a bunch of guys.

“So many players in the squad and we are getting to know each other. I think we are developing. You can see it on the pitch. Enzo and Mateo Kovacic, playing so well together. It is starting to click. We still have a way to go but you can see the improvement.”

The draw with Everton came after Chelsea had won three games on the bounce against Leeds United, Borussia Dortmund and Leicester City. But Pulisic insists Potter’s charges will take lessons from failing to hold on for the full three points against the Toffees.

He continued: “We had a really strong week, a couple of wins in a row, and we thought we had another one here. We have to learn from it and bounce back after the break.”

The reward for coming back against Dortmund in Europe is a glamorous Champions League quarter-final tie against holders Real Madrid. The Spanish giants dumped out Liverpool in the previous round and are daunting opponents given they beat the Blues in agonising circumstances last season.

Pulisic, 24, is keen for revenge. He continued: “It seems like we have played Real Madrid every year I have been here so it is a big team, we are excited, have beaten them in the past and are ready for the challenge.

“It could have gone either way last year but for sure we want some payback and hopefully beat them. You have to beat some good teams if you want to win the Champions League so we are ready for it.” Chelsea – who are 10th in the Premier League table – do not play again now until April 1, when they take on Unai Emery’s resurgent Aston Villa at home.