Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is reportedly reluctant to sign Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel isn’t too keen on signing Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese is said to be pushing for an Old Trafford exit and has been linked with the Blues, along with several other clubs.
Ronaldo was first rumoured to be ready to honour his Manchester United contract but the recent turn of events suggests otherwise. The former Real Madrid talisman didn’t join the team’s pre-season training at Carrington due to family commitments and will also miss their tour to Thailand.
Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is busy finding a suitor for his client and Chelsea, under the ownership of Todd Boehly, have emerged as one. The forward is said to be open to joining Manchester United’s direct rivals as well, but Tuchel is reluctant to sign the superstar.
As per the aforementioned report, the German tactician doesn’t believe Ronaldo will fit into his system. He is eager to have a versatile forward to allow the side to play free-flowing football, similar to what Jurgen Klopp did at Liverpool during their 2019 Champions League-winning season.
The 37-year-old, as his second season at Manchester United has highlighted, will not be short on goals but his overall contribution to the team’s build-up play, or the lack of it, can be detrimental to the players around him. Tuchel perhaps recognises that and is thus willing to pass up the opportunity to bring the Portugal captain to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are close to signing Raheem Sterling from Manchester City, who could provide Tuchel with an option to play with a flexible frontline, especially with the departure of Romelu Lukaku to Inter on loan.
Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Timo Werner are also at the German’s disposal, with the club in the transfer race for Leeds United’s Raphinha as well. By the end of the transfer window, Tuchel could have the kind of attacking line he has in mind for the next few seasons. As for Ronaldo, a move to Stamford Bridge may end up not materialising, if the German tactician gets his way.
