The Blues are linked with Cristiano Ronaldo but with interest in the striker shown more by new owner Todd Boehly than head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor believes that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel’s preference would be to sign Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and Raphinha ahead of Ronaldo. Chelsea have been linked with Ronaldo after he told Manchester United on Saturday he wants to leave this summer.
New Blues owner Boehly has apparently had a dialogue with the Portugal superstar’s agent Jorge Mendes about a potential deal but it has surfaced that Tuchel is not overly keen on bringing him to Stamford Bridge as he has set his sights more on Manchester City star Sterling as a top target for Chelsea this summer with reports of a deal worth £45million getting closer. Meanwhile, the Blues’ £60m bid for Raphinha was accepted by Leeds last month, despite the player prefering a move to Barcelona.
Agbonlahor is convinced both of those targets are way above Ronaldo on Tuchel’s wish-list and he doubts a deal for Ronaldo would go through unless new owner Boehly overrules his manager.
Agbonlahor told talkSPORT: “I think he’d be definitely a good fit but I just do not see it happening. Thomas Tuchel left PSG because of the egos, Neymar, Messi.
“He will not want a big ego like Ronaldo coming in and wanting to play every game. 100 per cent he would rather go and get Raphinha, go and get Sterling, players that aren’t bigger than the manager or bigger than the club even.
“So for me Thomas Tuchel definitely would not want Cristiano Ronaldo. But if it comes from above him and the owners want him, then maybe it’s something that happens.”
Interestingly, Ronaldo is not the only superstar rumored to be targeted by Chelsea as PSG’s colorful Neymar is also linked with a move to the west London club, although as far as this is concerned, ex-Chelsea defender Jason Cundy isn’t enamored with the idea of having the Brazilian at his old club. Neither also is he convinced that Ronaldo would be a good addition.
Cundy said: “I actually think that, I’ve said this many many times, I think Neymar is overrated. I’m not saying he’s a bad player, I think he’s overrated, that’s my own take on that, I’m not so sure he’d fit in at Chelsea.
“Ronaldo, there’s a part of me that’s a little bit concerned that it’s not going to be a Thomas Tuchel signing. It feels a little bit like a Todd Boehly one where he’s come in with the money and he’s getting seduced by one of the world’s greatest ever players and he’s available.
“And then there’s Sterling, which for me makes so much sense, I don’t quite know what he’s going to cost but it feels and sounds like it’s going to be a decent deal.”