Chelsea shouldn't sign Cristiano Ronaldo, claims club legend

Robin Bairner
Robin Bairner
  • Updated: 23 May 2023 08:56 CDT
  • 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo, Chelsea badge
© ProShots

Chelsea should not sign Cristiano Ronaldo, according to club legend Jon Obi Mikel, who says that he has never been a fan of the former Manchester United player.

Ronaldo was dumped by the Red Devils a fortnight ago following controversy over an interview he held with Piers Morgan on Talk TV. The 37-year-old Portugal attacker said that he felt “disrespected” by manager Erik ten Hag and “betrayed” by the club.

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MORE: Ronaldo didn't think Morgan interview would end his Man Utd career

Man Utd and Ronaldo mutually agreed the player’s termination and, as such, he is now a free agent.

Mikel says no to Ronaldo at Chelsea

Chelsea are one of the clubs who have been linked with a move for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, though in recent days they have moved to distance themselves from the player – an attitude that Mikel believes is the correct one.

Speaking to Dubai Eye, he explained: “I’ve never been a Ronaldo fan, really. For me, when a player has so much ego, I don’t really get it. He’s never been one of my favourite players and that’s why I always go for Lionel Messi really.

MORE: How Man Utd will line up with Gakpo as Ronaldo replacement

Ronaldo has also been linked with clubs in Saudi Arabia, the USA and Australia
© ProShots - Ronaldo has also been linked with clubs in Saudi Arabia, the USA and Australia

“I mean, if someone comes out and gives such an interview, what makes you think, if he signs for your club in January, he won’t do the same? So, I mean, every club is going to be aware of that… but listen, he is Cristiano Ronaldo; he’s one of the greatest players ever to have played the game.

“I think he’s going to get another club in January and continue his football career. But for me, it’s just a horrible scenario, he’s done so much for the club, and to see it end this way, it’s just horrible. On his part really, I would say that interview shouldn’t have been done, wrong timing as well. It’s just not right. It doesn’t look right for such a player that has achieved so much in the game.”

Mikel might have been a team-mate of Ronaldo at Manchester United himself, but in 2006 he competed a controversial move to Chelsea. ‘CR7’ was four years into his first spell at the Old Trafford club at that point.

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