Mason Mount has refused to talk about the possibility of Cristiano Ronaldo making a sensational move to Stratford Bridge.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has been put on alert after Manchester United confirmed they have parted ways with the Portuguese superstar in the wake of his controversial interview with Piers Morgan.
Boehly has developed a relationship with Jorge Mendes, having had talks with Ronaldo’s agent before the player finally decided to move back to Old Trafford. Ronaldo, 37, will be looking for a new club in January. The star is currently with the Portugal squad in Qatar, preparing for their Group H opener against Ghana on Thursday.
But a lot of the talk amongst the Portuguese media around the camp has been about Ronaldo’s club future - so much so that the five-times Ballon D’Or winner has pleaded with reporters not to ask other players about him.
That, however, did not stop one Portuguese journalist collaring Mount in the immediate aftermath of England’s sensational opening day win over Iran and grilling him about Ronaldo. A surprised Mount said: “Listen, I’m away with international and England at the moment so that’s all I’m focusing on. I’ve just played my first World Cup game, I’m not really thinking about too much else. I’m away with England.”
There is a growing belief within Portuguese circles that Chelsea could be a serious option for Ronaldo now his contractual situation at United has been sorted.
Before his prolonged TV outburst, United were already willing to let Ronaldo go in January but, preferably, not to a Premier League rival. United had been hoping Ronaldo might countenance a romantic return to Sporting Lisbon but that seems out of the question. Boehly was said to be keen to sign Ronaldo in the summer but faced fierce opposition from Thomas Tuchel.
But the German coach has since been sacked and new Chelsea boss Graham Potter already finds himself under pressure after a run of five Premier League matches without a win - losing their last three - that has seen them slump to eighth in the table.
Boehly could decide that Ronaldo might give Chelsea lift but it seems highly unlikely it would be a move welcomed by Potter … if he is still there.
