After completing the takeover of Chelsea last May, co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital wanted to make a big impact on the transfer market with Cristiano Ronaldo one of their targets.
Boehly met with Ronaldo\'s agent, Jorge Mendes, last summer and he became fixated on the idea of signing him. The idea was present to former manager Thomas Tuchel, who rejected it based on Ronaldo\'s age and that he wouldn\'t be the type of pressing striker he preferred. Boehly raised the possibility of signing Ronaldo on several further occasions, much to Tuchel\'s mounting frustration.
The issue became a major one and contributed to Tuchel\'s dismissal in September.
Chelsea now are interested in signing Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain, which would be a similarly splashy move that is at odds with on-field results for the club.
Via James Olley/ESPN
