Thomas Tuchel is reluctant to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to Chelsea in case it disrupts his plans for a free-flowing attack next season… with German boss mindful of his arrival backfiring against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Man United
- Cristiano Ronaldo is desperate to move on from Manchester United this summer
- Chelsea have been linked, but Thomas Tuchel is reluctant to swoop in for the star
- Tuchel holds reservations over how Ronaldo would fit into his free-flowing team
- Instead, he is eyeing up sealing a move for Raheem Sterling and Leeds’ Raphinha
Thomas Tuchel is reluctant to move for Cristiano Ronaldo in case it blows an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer-style hole in his plans for next season.
Tuchel, who is in the running to sign PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe as a replacement for Antonio Rudiger, has formulated the way he wants to play next season with a flexible forward similar to Jurgen Klopp’s great Liverpool team that won the Champions League in 2019.
His vision is for a fluid front three of Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz as a Roberto Firmino-style false nine and Raphinha, though the Brazilian is holding out for a move to Barcelona instead.
Thomas Tuchel is reluctant to free Cristiano Ronaldo from his Manchester United nightmare
Chelsea boss Tuchel is wary that the superstar could disrupt his plans for a free-flowing team
Ousmane Dembele, currently at the Nou Camp, is an alternative should he fail to agree a new deal in Spain.
Although Ronaldo would be attractive to new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly because of his global marketability and goals record, he is allowing Tuchel a big say over signings.
The German is mindful of what happened at Old Trafford a year ago when Solskjaer’s plans to use a front three of Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford were upset when Ronaldo was signed from Juventus late in the window – affecting the balance of the team.
Raheem Sterling’s move to Stamford Bridge is imminent, and he will form part of the trident
Boehly is mindful to leave footballing decisions to the experts and Sterling is close to sealing a £45million move from Manchester City.
He will sign a five-year deal with the option of an additional 12 months that would keep him at Stamford Bridge until he is 33.
The England winger is understood to be excited about playing in Tuchel’s flexible formation having been reduced to a bit-part player under Pep Guardiola last season.
Having lost centre-backs Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, Chelsea are also prioritising a centre-back with French international Kimpembe available for £51m from PSG as they target Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar. Chelsea are close to completing a £35m deal for their former central defender Nathan Ake of Manchester City.
United’s balance suffered last year with Ronaldo in the side, and he is now desperate to leave
Chelsea have agreed a fee with Leeds for Raphinha, but the winger (above) prefers Barcelona
Chelsea have also agreed a fee with Leeds United for Raphinha but the player prefers Spain and Barca believe they can afford him and Robert Lewandowski by selling an addition tranche of their future TV rights this month.
Once Dembele or Raphinha arrive, Chelsea are happy to listen to offers for Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic.
Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong is also reluctant to go to Old Trafford and miss out on Champions League football, leaving United having to consider alternatives for a deep-lying midfielder who is good on the ball.
Christian Eriksen is yet to confirm his move and Erik ten Hag is also looking at his former Ajax player Edson Alvarez.
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