Cristiano Ronaldo: Could, should and would Chelsea sign the world’s biggest star?

The most fascinating question in world football at the moment is the obvious one:  Is Cristiano Ronaldo really going to leave Real Madrid this summer? And if he does, what are the chances of Chelsea making a move for him?

Cristiano Ronaldo – as everyone in the world of football knows at this point – is upset.  He does not like that Real Madrid have somehow not supported him in his personal fight against the Spanish tax authorities. Apparently he would like a little help from the classic powers-that-be who support Real Madrid, even though he does perhaps owe the government a substantial sum of money.

The Spanish government is cracking down on players keeping their money in offshore bank accounts. This past season they dragged Lionel Messi through that very mud.

Oddly it appears Ronaldo is more upset by the accusation than the actual punishment.  It is unlikely he would see any jail time. Like Messi, he would only have to pay a fine.

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As a result, he is thinking about leaving Spain, which entails leaving Real. There is not a single club in world football that should not want him. If Chelsea are among those clubs, could and would they possibly pull off this transfer?

Could Chelsea pull it off?

Yes, Chelsea could financially make this happen.  They have bargaining chips like few other clubs in the world.  Real Madrid have on multiple occasions shown interest in not just Eden Hazard but Thibaut Courtois as well.

Ronaldo would surely seek to be the highest paid player in the world.  It would be a tough ask for Chelsea but they could afford him.  The new money from Nike as well as the club’s high economic value around the world keep Ronaldo’s wages within the Premier League champion’s budget.

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Ronaldo would also be attracted to the prospect of living in London.  During his first stay in England, Ronaldo was not exactly keen on Manchester. He incurred Sir Alex Ferguson’s wrath on many occasions for his very frequent trips south to the London party scene.  The culture, nightlife and fashionable lifestyle of the English capital has always appealed to Ronaldo. It has not stopped simply because of his time in Madrid.

Finally, Chelsea won the Premier League last year at a trot. Manchester United finished sixth and are also coached by Jose Mourinho.  They are a weak squad coached by a manager Ronaldo has fallen out with multiple times. That prospect holds far less appeal than joining a team already primed for success that is going to be chasing European silverware in the coming season.

Should Chelsea make it happen?

Of course!  When you have an opportunity to sign one of the best and most famous players in the world who is known for his work ethic and determination you do it.  If Lionel Messi was actually available Chelsea should do it.  You want players in that stratosphere. Period.

Yes, Ronaldo is 32. Yes, that is traditionally old to buy a player for a world-record fee.  But the truth is this is not just about him as a player now.  It is about status as a football club.  It is worth the money, it is worth the press and it is worth the declining age.

Cristiano Ronaldo at Chelsea makes Chelsea perhaps the biggest – or at least the loudest – club in England.  If Chelsea can turn that into long term success like a couple of titles and a Champions League win during his time (Ronaldo has said he wants to play past 40) then Chelsea can consider the move a success.

Would Chelsea go through with it?

Probably not, but they have Roman Abramovich. Abramovich always gets the players he wants, even if they are past their prime like Andriy Shevchenko.

Three summers in a row, Shevchenko turned Chelsea down. Three years he got older and more past the athletic prime he would have needed to be a success. Roman Abramovich was a fan, though, and eventually got the man he wanted.

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Was Shevchenko a success? No. Did it really matter? No. Chelsea still won titles and Abramovich got what he wanted, so it all worked out wonderfully. Chelsea chased Michael Ballack in the same way and eventually they bought him too.  Never ever underestimate what happens if Roman Abramovich fancies a certain player.

Chelsea have taken a far more conservative approach to the transfer market in recent years. They have gone from being one of the more poorly fiscally run clubs in the Premier League to probably the best (at least of the big six trying to win things – sorry, Arsenal).

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The more conservative approach does not bode well for Chelsea signing Cristiano Ronaldo. But any Chelsea fan should know it was unexpected for Abramovich to buy the club and turn it into the club it is today. With Abramovich, nothing is out of the question.