Graham Potter shut down questions about Cristiano Ronaldo as links of a Chelsea transfer once again surfaced.
The Manchester United superstar has endured a miserable start to the new season, which followed a similarly frustrating summer. The 37-year-old, after top scoring in his first season back with the club, had hoped to engineer a move to a side in the Champions League.
Having missed the majority of pre-season, Ronaldo failed to get his exit with a host of clubs distancing themselves from talks. One of those said to be a potential suitor was Chelsea, after it was revealed Todd Boehly held talks with the forward’s agent Jorge Mendes.
Amongst many topics, it is understood the idea of Ronaldo making a move to the capital was broached, with the American tycoon suitably interested. Unfortunately for Boehly, his then manager Thomas Tuchel was less enthused, ultimately putting paid to any hope of a move.
But with Tuchel now out of the Stamford Bridge door and reports continuing to link Ronaldo with a transfer away from United, speculation has returned. Talks over his future have only intensified further this week after the Portuguese was left on the bench during the thrashing at the hands of Manchester City at The Etihad.
But new Chelsea boss Potter gave short shrift to a line of questioning surrounding Ronaldo, claiming he will not discuss any players not currently at the club. “We can spend all day with these questions but I'm not going to speak about this. If they are not out players, I am not going to speak to them,” he said in his pre-match press conference.
An increasingly exasperated Potter was also asked about Christopher Nkunku, following reports the Blues have reached a pre-agreement to sign the RB Leipzig star next summer. “My answer is that I don't speak about players that aren't Chelsea players. It was the same at Brighton. There are a lot of names out there but I will only speak about Chelsea players and not anyone else.” P
otter was more forthcoming when asked about the club’s owners, who look set to back the new boss when the transfer window does open at the start of next year. He added: “The guys are ambitious and they want to develop the club and the team. I'll never forget that my job as a head coach is to develop the players that are here and then to align decisions with the club when the transfer window is open.”
As for Ronaldo, Mirror Football understands his determination to leave Old Trafford has only hardened following recent events and his representatives are working hard to find a move in the January window. On United’s part however, they are reluctant to sanction a move mid-season and would likely look to keep him until next summer.
At that point bosses would have the option of triggering a one-year extension in the contract he signed last year, but there is an acceptance there will be a parting of the ways, with Ten Hag given free reign to sign his own man.
