Chelsea’s Cristiano Ronaldo Mistake Highlighted by Club Legend William Gallas [Exclusive]

Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester United v Newcastle United – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – September 11, 2021 Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo walks onto the pitch before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
It was a cinematic turnaround within just a few months for Chelsea during the last season. The club sacked Thomas Tuchel as the manager in 2022 after a poor start to the season, further increasing their condition. However, the current situation could have been still avoided, according to a former Chelsea legend, William Gallas, who spoke to Essentially Sports in an exclusive interview. The icon felt that Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability the previous season could have benefited Chelsea.
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The West London club had an opportunity to sign the Portuguese captain after he departed from Manchester United in 2022. But the club did not go for it, which was an error, according to Gallas. The former two-time Premier League winner, in an exclusive interview with Essentially Sports, said, “Chelsea made a mistake by not signing Cristiano Ronaldo, definitely. He was available to sign, and Chelsea would have been a good club for him,” when asked if he still believes Chelsea should have signed him amidst a shortage of a prolific striker.
via Reuters Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester United v Newcastle United – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – September 11, 2021 Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
In December 2022, Gallas suggested that Chelsea acquire the former United #7 for a short-term spell to solve their striker crises. And the former French defender still feels it was the right option then. On the other hand, Ronaldo’s spat with Manchester United’s coach, Erik ten Hag, led to the termination of his contract. Notably, it saw Ronaldo being available for various clubs, including the Blues. Regardless, despite showing interest in him for the 2022 summer, Todd Boehly ignored the possibilities later.
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The club saw a drastic decline in performance since the arrival of the new owner, Todd Boehly. From finishing 3rd in the 2021-22 Premier League season, the Blues dropped to 12 in the next, scoring just half the goals (36) of what they did a season earlier (76). Consequently, they were not able to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season. But Gallas identified the issue in the middle of the crisis.
Former iconic defender William Gallas explains how Cristiano Ronaldo could have assisted Chelsea
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Considering it a strategic mistake, the presence of the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner would have bolstered the team’s mindset, felt William Gallas. Speaking further in the exclusive interview, he said, “Everyone knows how important Ronaldo can be in the dressing room, he brings a winning mentality, and it could have benefited the squad. It was a mistake by Chelsea,” citing his robust attitude.
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Ronaldo is now proving why the fans call him a mentality beast. Joining Saudi club Al Nassr, he netted a monstrous 54 times in 2024, making him the year’s top scorer. The world’s highest goal scorer earlier this season declared that he is not done yet. And this was the mentality that the 2006 World Cup runner-up mentioned that could have helped Chelsea.
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