Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel is still not ready to sign Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo out of fear that his arrival might influence Chelsea’s style of football.
The former Paris Saint-Germain coach wants to sign PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe as a replacement for Antonio Rudiger and has revealed the way he wants his team to play with a flexible center forward just like Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team that won the Champions League in 2019.
Thomas Tuchel sees a front three of Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, and a false nine, and Raphinha fit into such a position, even though he’s interested in joining Barcelona this summer.
Ousmane Dembele, who is now at the Nou Camp, is an alternative if he is unable to reach a new contract in Spain.
Despite Ronaldo’s global marketability and track record of goals, Todd Boehly is giving Tuchel a lot of influence over signings. And the coach seems to have the final say on who comes in and who leaves this summer.
The German is aware of what transpired at Old Trafford a year ago when Ronaldo’s late-period Juventus transfer upset Solskjaer’s plans to employ a front three of Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood, and Marcus Rashford, which disrupted the team’s balance. Boehly is aware that football-related choices should be left to the professionals, and Sterling is almost certain to depart Manchester City for a reported £45 million.
Cristiano Ronaldo would be attractive to new #Chelsea owner Todd Boehly because of his global marketability and goals record, but he is mindful to leave footballing decisions to the experts like Thomas Tuchel.
— ⭐️ Chels HQ ⭐️ (@Chels_HQ) July 10, 2022
(@MailSport)
Raheem Sterling has already agreed to a five-year contract with a 12-month extension clause, which will keep him at Stamford Bridge until he is 33.
After being demoted to a supporting role under Pep Guardiola last season, the England winger is reportedly thrilled to play in Tuchel’s versatile style.
Aside from Sterling, Chelsea are prioritizing a center-back after losing Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, and French international Kimpembe is available from PSG for £51 million as they pursue Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar.
Chelsea are about to finalize a £35 million agreement to acquire Nathan Ake from Manchester City.
Raphinha’s price has also been agreed upon by Chelsea and Leeds United, but the player is more interested in playing in Spain, and Barcelona believes they can afford both him and Robert Lewandowski by selling a further portion of their future TV rights this month.
Chelsea is willing to consider bids for Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, and Christian Pulisic once Dembele or Raphinha arrive. Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is unwilling to move to Old Trafford and forfeit playing in the Champions League, which has forced United to continue searching for a deep-lying, ball-savvy midfielder.
Erik ten Hag is also considering Edson Alvarez from Ajax, while Christian Eriksen is yet to officially announce his move to Manchester United.
