Olivier Giroud, now working as a BBC Sport pundit at the FIFA World Cup, has spoken warmly about his former club team-mate Christian Pulisic — and he believes the United States captain is primed to become a decisive force in this tournament.

A team-mate who always delivered for his country

Giroud shared the dressing room with Pulisic at both Chelsea and AC Milan, and says the American's performance against Paraguay came as no surprise. "I think he has got what it takes to take the US team to the next level over the next few weeks," Giroud told BBC Sport, adding that he hopes the calf injury that forced Pulisic off at half-time proves minor.

When Pulisic arrived at Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund in 2019, he was already a senior figure for the United States. The nickname that stuck at AC Milan — 'Captain America' — reflected a reality: he was the team's star, armband or not, and the pressure that came with that profile followed him constantly.

His most recent club season at AC Milan was inconsistent. He started brightly but then the team faltered, missed out on qualification for the UEFA Champions League, and Pulisic endured a goal drought stretching several months. Yet, Giroud argues, that context rarely changes what is asked of him internationally — the expectation to deliver for the United States remains, along with the criticism when he falls short.

Mental strength built through difficult moments

Giroud is clear that those struggles have shaped Pulisic rather than diminished him. The hard stretches — injuries, poor form at club level, the weight of national expectation — have forged a more resilient player. At 27, Giroud believes Pulisic is finally operating with the maturity his talent always demanded.

Some questioned Pulisic's decision to skip the 2024 Gold Cup, telling coach Mauricio Pochettino he needed rest. Giroud backed that call at the time, insisting Pulisic understood his own body better than anyone else. That absence, however, has only intensified the spotlight on him now. "I think he is aware of that, and he's ready for the responsibility, mentally and physically," Giroud said.

'He reminded me of Eden Hazard'

Off the pitch, Giroud describes Pulisic as someone who appears reserved at first but opens up completely once trust is established — a caring presence with a sharp sense of humour. On the pitch, their partnership clicked from the start at Chelsea.

Giroud operated as a target man and needed movement in the pockets around him — and Pulisic provided exactly that. "Christian reminded me of Eden Hazard, with the way he took on opponents and found it easy to dribble past people," Giroud said. The key difference, in his view, was temperament: Hazard played with effortless freedom, while Pulisic sometimes placed too much pressure on himself and played within his own limits.

That changed when Pulisic moved to Serie A. The combination of age, experience, and a new environment — one where he felt valued — allowed him to express himself. When AC Milan lined up with Rafael Leao, Pulisic, and Giroud in attack, the three complemented one another naturally. Giroud believes the United States will need that same kind of cohesion around their star man.

A goal against Senegal in late May helped Pulisic shake off his scoring slump and carry confidence into the World Cup. Nobody expects the United States to lift the trophy, but Giroud is emphatic: if they are to reach the knockout rounds, Pulisic will be central to it. "I have always thought the USA are lucky to have him, because he has skill and intelligence. Talent on its own is not enough."