That’s according to former United States international Kyle Martino.
Pulisic was signed for a fee of £58m at the beginning of January but was loaned straight back out to Borussia Dortmund.
The American had been linked with Chelsea for months, but he was also said to have been interested in joining Liverpool.
The size of the fee has invited criticism from some, but Martino believes the 20-year-old can live up to it.
And with Hazard looking like he may join Real Madrid in the summer, Pulisic will have to deliver.
“He can [start] and I think $ 73million says that Chelsea thinks that he needs to be ready to start,” he said.
“It is big money for a player who’s worth it.
“You look at the video and it tells you the quality is there but what’s hard to scout is his character.”
Martino then went on to note that Pulisic needed some arrogance if he’s going to fill the boots of Chelsea’s star man.
“But I have talked to some of the US players that were with him and the coaches that have coached him, who have said he is the right side of cockiness,” he added.
“He has this confidence where he plays and he wants to take over a game and I just think Chelsea are getting a player that.
“If Eden Hazard leaves, that is ready to come and start right away.”
If his price-tag is anything to go by, Pulisic will likely come straight into the starting line-up when he links up with his new team-mates in the summer.
The future of Willian, who has been subject to bids from Barcelona in the past, as well as some interest from PSG, is still unclear.
Chelsea may look for other attacking midfielders in the summer, as the futures of Pedro, who’s the wrong side of 30, and Callum Hudson-Odoi, are also up in the air.
