Chelsea and Leeds await Milan in final pre-season games: Will Christian Pulisic be fit? Will Luka Modric and Santiago Gimenez play?

Will Christian Pulisic be fit? Will Luka Modric and Santiago Gimenez finally make their summer debut? These are the uncertainties casting a shadow over what should be an exciting conclusion to Milan’s summer preparations.

As the final stretch of pre-season approaches, Milan is gearing up for two crucial friendlies against Leeds United and Chelsea, scheduled for this weekend in Dublin and London, respectively. These matches will serve as the final tune-up before the Rossoneri’s competitive campaign begins later this month—but key questions linger over the availability of several top players.

Will Christian Pulisic return from injury? Will Luka Modric and Santiago Gimenez finally make their summer debut? These are the uncertainties casting a shadow over what should be an exciting conclusion to Milan’s summer preparations.

One of the biggest talking points heading into the English double-header is the fitness of Christian Pulisic, who has been nursing a lingering ankle injury since the team’s match against Liverpool in Hong Kong.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, “Pulisic is still not fully fit and continues to suffer from discomfort in the ankle, which already kept him out of the game in Perth.” The report raises serious doubts about the American winger’s ability to feature in either of the upcoming fixtures.

The 26-year-old is said to have been undergoing intensive treatment, but as of now, his inclusion in the squad flying to England remains uncertain. Milan’s medical staff is wary of rushing him back too soon, especially with the official season just days away.

What about Modric and Gimenez?

While the status of Pulisic remains in doubt, the spotlight now shifts to two of the club’s Asia-Pacific tour absentees: Luka Modric and Santiago Gimenez. Both players, La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests, “are expected to be on the flight to England and could well get some minutes to improve fitness.”

Modric, who joined Milan after a legendary spell at Real Madrid, has already generated excitement among fans and media. This weekend could mark his unofficial debut in red and black, as head coach Massimiliano Allegri looks to introduce him into the tactical framework gradually.

Meanwhile, Santiago Gimenez, the Mexican striker who arrived in January from Feyenoord, is another player eager to enter his first full season with Milan. With Luka Jovic and Tammy Abraham having departed, Gimenez may find himself thrown into action sooner than expected, as the Rossoneri continue to look for additional attacking solutions on the transfer market.