CHELSEA could remarkably begin the 2022/23 season with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the line at Stamford Bridge.
Shocking reports emerged on Saturday that the Portuguese superstar’s agent Jorge Mendes met with new Blues owner Todd Boehly last week and discussed a possible move for his client.
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Ronaldo is thought to be happy to stay at Manchester United for the beginning of a new era under Erik ten Hag.
However, he is also reportedly concerned about the lack of summer transfer business the Red Devils have managed so far – with not a single player arriving.
And the links to Chelsea have raised many eyebrows, not least from Blues supporters who will be pondering how Ronaldo’s arrival would leave their starting line-up.
The ex-Real Madrid and Juventus man would undoubtedly be the focal point of the attack – particularly given the recent departure of Romelu Lukaku as he returned to Inter Milan on loan.
He could well be joined by two more new forward players either side of him in the form of Raheem Sterling and Ousmane Dembele.
Manchester City man Sterling is said to be near the top of Thomas Tuchel’s wishlist as he looks to entice the England international into a move to London.
And Barcelona star Dembele is another player being closely monitored by Chelsea as his contract at the Nou Camp expires later this month.
This could prove bad news for both Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
In the midfield, Tuchel still has a plethora of options to choose from including Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho and Mason Mount – who can also play in the front three.
Jorginho has been linked with a move away this summer, although he does not appear to be close to leaving at this time.
Edouard Mendy will almost certainly remain Tuchel’s No1 in between the sticks.
But the defence is preparing for a shake-up.
Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger have both already left on free transfers.
And Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso could follow them in the coming weeks.
Juventus and Holland centre-back Matthijs de Ligt has been linked with a move to Chelsea – though they will have to fend off interest from Man Utd.
Reece James, Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah are expected to keep their places.
But, with the potential loss of Alonso and Ben Chilwell continuing to recover from his cruciate injury, Chelsea are looking at the possibility of signing Stuttgart left-back Borna Sosa.
If all five transfers are completed then the Blues will once again be considered Premier League title contenders alongside the ever-present Manchester City and Liverpool.
