Danny Murphy believes Cristiano Ronaldo has no future in the Premier League with potential moves to the likes of Newcastle United and Everton ‘highly unlikely’ for a variety of reasons, speaking to talkSPORT (23 November, 10am).
Cast your mind back to Newcastle’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea recently. Or, for that matter, the thrilling 3-3 draw with Manchester City, or the 2-1 triumph away from home at Tottenham Hotspur.
Three highly-impressive performances underpinned by a relentless high-press, rapid transitions and with all ten outfield players running themselves into the ground. Ask yourself this; does a 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo really take this Newcastle team to the next level?
Or does he actually stunt their development?
Could Cristiano Ronaldo join Newcastle after Manchester United exit?
“No chance. I don’t (think it will happen) for a couple of reasons,” Murphy says when commenting on the rumours linking Ronaldo with a shock move to St James’ Park.
“One; they’ve already got (Alexander) Isak, who they spent a lot of money on. Throw Ronaldo into that, what happens to Isak?
“Furthermore, when you look at what Eddie Howe is trying to achieve and how he’s trying to play; front foot, high tempo, press, the unity, stability, team spirit… I’d say ‘no thanks’.
“I think if Newcastle are going to get (into the Champions League), they’ll get there with their philosophy. I don’t think he enhances that chance for them.”
According to the Daily Mail, Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, held talks with Newcastle in October as he looks to find a new home for his now-clubless client.
And those highlighting Ronaldo’s tally of 18 Premier League goals last term as justification for his potential arrival at Newcastle or Chelsea, for instance, are missing the point. Ronaldo is little more than a square peg in a round hole these days for any club hoping to play an attractive, expansive style. What’s more, that usually ice-cool finishing appears to have deserted him as he closes in on his 38th birthday.
‘Chelsea shouldn’t be trying to get him’
“Highly unlikely, I would imagine. Highly unlikely,” Murphy adds when asked if Ronaldo has a future in English football.
“There’s plenty of clubs that would want him, or would need him. If you think of him going somewhere like, I don’t know, Everton, they desperately need a goalscorer and he’d do them proud. But he’s not going to go there.
“Chelsea, I don’t think should be trying to get him. They’ve got Aubameyang, who in some ways is similar. You carry him a little bit in terms of the defensive (phase). And the way Graham Potter wants to play, it’s not someone you’d want.
“With Potter, he’s shown he’ll mix the team up, week-in, week-out. If that continues, Ronaldo doesn’t want to go somewhere where he’s sat on the bench.”
Ronaldo, contrary to what he would have you believe, has actually had his fair share of opportunities this season. The five-time Ballon D’Or winner, who earned a staggering £500,000-a-week at Old Trafford, started ten games for Erik Ten Hag, scoring just twice from open play.
Ronaldo’s contract was terminated by ‘mutual consent’ on Tuesday.
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