It is no secret Chelsea had the opportunity to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United in the summer transfer window. Yet Thomas Tuchel wasn't interested. There were no doubts over the ageing Portuguese star's talent, nor his ability to perform in the Premier League. Ronaldo was simply not the right fit for the squad.
Tuchel had another priority target; one who had weeks earlier lifted the Premier League trophy for the fourth time. That was, of course, Raheem Sterling. Chelsea were able to get a deal done for the England international, who arrived from Manchester City in a deal worth around £50million.
Inserted as one of the highest earners in the squad at around £300,000-per-week – this was before the Todd Boehly/Clearlake Capital's change of approach to contracts – it was expected Sterling would establish himself as a dressing room leader and unlock the Chelsea attack.
