With national teams required to submit World Cup squads to FIFA by May 30, every appearance now carries added weight for American players. The past week produced clear positives and growing concerns for the USMNT pool.

Haji Wright played 28 minutes for Coventry City in a 1–1 draw with Blackburn Rovers as his club secured promotion to the English top flight for the first time in 25 years. Wright entered in the 62nd minute and registered a single shot in that match. Across the Championship campaign he has 16 goals and an assist in 29 games, placing him second in the Golden Boot race behind Žan Vipotnik. That goalscoring return and the prospect of remaining with Coventry for the Premier League step up have strengthened his appeal for a World Cup roster spot, even if he is not a guaranteed starter.

Brenden Aaronson is enjoying one of his best seasons with Leeds United. He played 86 minutes in Monday’s Premier League fixture against Manchester United, creating an assist on a day Noah Okafor netted a brace in a 2–1 victory at Old Trafford. Aaronson now has four goals and four assists in 31 Premier League matches this season and is pushing to make his second World Cup after debuting in Qatar. While Leeds remain concerned about relegation, the club also prepares for an FA Cup semifinal against Chelsea after ousting West Ham United. “The biggest thing was the Premier League, staying up and just having a great season, which I think we’ve done and we’ve put ourselves in a great position,” Aaronson told ESPN . “And then the cherry on top is being in the FA Cup and getting to the semifinals … It’s going to be a massive game for this club and for this team.”

Chris Richards continued his rise with Crystal Palace, producing 10 defensive actions and nine clearances in Conference League action against Fiorentina as Palace advanced 4–2 on aggregate despite a 2–1 loss. He also delivered nine defensive contributions in a league win over Newcastle, a match settled by Jean-Philippe Mateta’s 94th-minute penalty.

By contrast, Christian Pulisic’s form remains a concern. The 27-year-old has gone 17 goalless games for AC Milan after a 3–0 loss to Udinese in which he recorded three attempts but no shot on target. Since his last goal he has one assist, versus Torino in March, and he struggled for the USMNT against Portugal and Belgium. Tim Ream’s veteran presence still matters, but recent showings with Charlotte FC raise questions about his level against top attackers.

Landon Donovan has voiced reservations about Christian Pulisic’s capacity to cope with the physical demands of a Premier League return, comments that arrive amid continued transfer speculation. On the Unfiltered Soccer podcast, Tim Howard suggested a move to an English giant could elevate Pulisic, while Donovan highlighted long-term fitness as the key concern.

“This is a scenario where I think if he is motivated and wants to go prove it, he is capable of it—going to one of these big clubs in England,” Donovan said. “The one hesitation I have, and this is just speaking from personal experience … the physical part of it is a real thing.

“He’s a phenomenal athlete, he is. But some of the athletes in the Premier League are monsters. I mean monsters. And to do it, 35, 40, 45 times a year at that pace is really hard. I don’t know, physically, if he could do it every single week for two or three years, like some of these guys. Because it’s really hard.”

Pulisic’s injury record at Chelsea is central to Donovan’s point. Transfermarkt documents 13 different injuries across four seasons at Stamford Bridge, absences that added up to 60 missed matches. Since his transfer to AC Milan ahead of the 2023–24 season his fitness problems have eased, but consistency has remained an issue.

In 2025–26 Pulisic has already suffered three separate injuries after an explosive start: eight goal contributions in his first seven games for Milan were interrupted by a hamstring injury during the October international break. In the months that followed he has been in and out of the infirmary and his playing time has been irregular. He has scored four times in his last 13 appearances, and all four goals came before the calendar flipped to 2026.

A return to what is widely considered the most physical and competitive league in the world presents a high risk, high reward scenario for the USMNT. Success at a top English club could lift his international level, but persistent injury or inconsistent minutes could leave Pulisic diminished at club level and deprive the national team of its key player for extended periods.

Deadline Day can still deliver late movement, even when midseason selling is difficult. With the January window closing, clubs remain capable of last-minute deals. Here are five players who, according to current reporting, could yet change clubs before the window slams shut.

Jean-Philippe Mateta has watched Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and now Guéhi depart Crystal Palace since his rise to prominence and believes the time is right to make a move. Oliver Glasner kept Mateta out of his matchday squad on Sunday, as Palace drew 1–1 at Nottingham Forest, and the Frenchman is poised to join Milan on Deadline Day. Interest came from Nottingham Forest, but Mateta is thought to favour Serie A. The reported fee is £26 million ($35.6 million). As mitigation, Palace are bringing in Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jørgen Strand Larsen.

Joshua Zirkzee has not played for Manchester United since Michael Carrick took the reins due to an injury, but the Dutch forward was back in the matchday squad against Fulham. He has two Premier League goals in 14 appearances this season. There has been talk of a return to Serie A, with Napoli and Roma linked, although Romelu Lukaku’s long-awaited comeback from injury has eased Napoli’s need for a centre forward. Zirkzee’s reaction to Benjamin Šeško’s winner on Sunday suggests he remains committed at Old Trafford, yet calls about his availability persist.

Jhon Durán left Aston Villa for Al Nassr in a £71 million ($89 million) deal after a strong start to 2024–25. He scored eight times in 13 Saudi Pro League matches before moving on loan to Fenerbahçe last summer. Durán has had less joy in Türkiye and speculation is growing about a return to the Premier League. Any move would require agreement with his parent club, and clubs including Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked.

Moussa Diaby has been mentioned as a possible Inter target despite not being an obvious fit for a 3-5-2. He impressed at Bayer Leverkusen, was less effective in one Premier League season and spent two years in the Saudi Pro League. Unai Emery was willing to cut ties after Al Ittihad offered a fee similar to what they paid in 2023. The Inter link looks unlikely, but Tottenham could be active late.

Inter are also struggling to sort a deal with Liverpool for Curtis Jones, which currently leaves Davide Frattesi set to remain in Milan until summer. An agreement in principle with Nottingham Forest exists, however, so if Inter pivot and bring someone in, Frattesi could be on his way to the Premier League.