By John Essien
Chelsea Manager Thomas Tuchel is reluctant to welcome Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo into his team amid speculation surrounding his future at Old Trafford.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is believed to have told the Red Devils that he wants to leave after just one season back at the Theatre of Dreams.
Ronaldo is keen on lifting at least one more Champions League title before he retires and does not believe that he can fulfil his silverware ambitions with Man United.
The 37-year-old has been heavily linked with an exit from the Red Devils, and the Chelsea have emerged as a likely destination.
The Premier League club are in search of a new number 9 for this campaign after Romelu Lukaku rejoined Inter Milan on loan.
However, it is percieved that the Portuguese’s arrival could disrupt the harmony in the Blues boss’ preferred forward three.
New owner Todd Boehly has handed a good amount of transfer control to Tuchel, who is fearful of repeating Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s mistake of altering his front three for Ronaldo last year.
Ronaldo hit 24 goals and provided three assists in 38 outings for the Red Devils in the 2021-22 season and found the back of the net 18 times in the Premier League.
However, the ex-Real Madrid and Juventus man could only help Ralf Rangnick’s men finish sixth in the table, and he is therefore set to be playing Europa League football next season.
