Chelsea ‘may change stance’ on Ronaldo as Man Utd star seeks exit

Graham Potter reacts to Chelsea's Victory over AC Milan

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Chelsea may be more inclined to sign wantaway Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo following their change in management, according to reports. The Blues’ hierarchy, who wanted to purchase Ronaldo in the summer, replaced the sacked Thomas Tuchel with Graham Potter in early September.

Tuchel was not sold on the idea of signing Ronaldo as the German wanted a more mobile striker after seeing Romelu Lukaku fail to perform in his preferred system. Wide-ranging reports suggest that co-owner Todd Boehly, who was acting sporting director, clashed with Tuchel over Ronaldo during the summer transfer window. 

But with Tuchel now dismissed following a poor start to the season, there is apparently an ‘acceptance’ that new boss Potter might be more open to prising Ronaldo away from United. Portugal striker Ronaldo wanted to leave Old Trafford after the Red Devils failed to qualify for the Champions League. 

Chelsea signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to solve their striker shortage in the final days of the summer window, but the west Londoners could now acquire Ronaldo if Boehly gets his way. There is hope that Potter will green-light a move. 

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That is according to ESPN, who report that Chelsea’s stance on signing Ronaldo might have changed since Potter replaced Tuchel. It is a transfer that could happen in January, or when the 37-year-old’s contract with United expires at the end of the season. 

Ronaldo has endured a tough campaign with United, starting just one of their Premier League games. He was reported to have been left angered by Erik ten Hag’s decision to leave him on the substitutes’ bench for last weekend’s Manchester derby. 

The former Real Madrid icon has scored just once this season, and has failed to find the net in the Premier League. He missed a sitter in United’s 3-2 win over Omonia on Thursday night, and seems set to continue on the bench ahead of the Red Devils’ visit to Everton on Sunday. 

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Ten Hag defended Ronaldo’s performance in the Europa League this week, saying: “I think they (his shots) were on target as well. The first two, good saves from the goalie, so he had a couple of chances, he created a couple of chances.

“He was involved with a good run with the first goal for Marcus Rashford, so he had an impact in this game.

“I think we created a lot of chances tonight, if we count them only in the first half already we had 14, so there was a lot of threat to the opponent’s goal.”

It remains to be seen if Chelsea show a strong interest in signing Ronaldo in January. United’s firm stance on not selling the club icon could soften over the next few months. 

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