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According to CBS Sports’ Ben Jacobs, Chelsea manager Graham Potter ranks three attackers higher on his transfer wishlist than Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United.
Ronaldo’s current situation at Manchester United, which prevented him from traveling to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, has sparked rumors about a possible January transfer.
It’s not surprising that Chelsea, whose co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly reportedly wanted to sign the 37-year-old last summer, has been mentioned as a potential location for the superstar.
Jacobs argues that Ronaldo is still an improbable target for Chelsea in January.
Three other attackers are preferred by Chelsea’s Potter over Ronaldo.
The journalist stated that nothing has changed since Boehly asked former Blues manager Thomas Tuchel to consider Ronaldo, a request the German turned down.
Boehly is said to still be interested in signing Ronaldo but is not expected to make a move and would only do so with Potter’s approval.
Chelsea’s focus right now, according to Jacobs, is in the middle of the field.
Even among attackers, Potter reportedly has a few other attacking targets in mind in addition to Ronaldo, including Rafael Leao of AC Milan, Jonathan David of Lille, and Ivan Toney of Brentford.
Nothing has changed or progressed since. Jorge Mendes has held no further talks with Chelsea on Ronaldo. Even the summer chat was largely exploratory. Boehly won't move for Ronaldo as a priority. That remains the midfield. And will still only do so with Graham Potter's blessing.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) October 23, 2022
“They [Ronaldo and his agent Mendes] are less confident in Chelsea materialising even on a short-term deal,” Jacobs added.
“Ronaldo would also have to be convinced he’d play often enough, or he could end up in the same position as at Manchester United currently.
“What Mendes is hoping for, though, is Boehly staying on as sporting director through January & exerting more of a personal say, especially with extra time to assess the market.
“But Chelsea sources maintain Ronaldo would never be signed without ‘100% buy-in’ from Potter.”
