sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Manchester City Warned Signing Cristiano Ronaldo Could Have Negative Impact On Two Star Players

Manchester City Warned Signing Cristiano Ronaldo Could Have Negative Impact On Two Star Players

Frank Leboeuf says it is "absolutely fantastic" to have Cristiano Ronaldo, but he is unsure how Manchester City will use him "tactically."

Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock transfer to Manchester City could lead to a negative impact on Raheem Sterling and marquee summer signing Jack Grealish.

That is according to former Chelsea star Frank Leboeuf, who admitted that he is “surprised” Pep Guardiola would want to sign the Juventus superstar.

Ronaldo appears to be inching closer to a sensational exit from Juventus after he bid farewell to his club teammates on Friday morning.

The 36-year-old Portuguese forward arrived at Juventus’ Continassa training complex to clear out his locker ahead of the club’s training session.

Ronaldo’s super-agent, Jorge Mendes, has engineered the former Real Madrid star’s exit from Turin ahead of his Juventus contract expiring in 2022.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has reportedly agreed personal terms with City on a contract, with Ronaldo expected to earn a staggering £510,000 per week in wages.

PA

Read More:

City are expected to push through with the deal before the transfer window shuts on 31st August, with Juventus demanding a fee believed to be between €25m and €30m.

However, Leboeuf has raised his concerns over how City will “tactically” use Ronaldo and how it could affect the roles of Sterling and Grealish in Guardiola’s plans.

He told ESPN: “Ronaldo will bring so many things to City. The only thing I’m questioning right now is, of course, he can leave Juventus, he doesn’t want to stay and the price Juve is asking is not really a steal, the guy is 36 [and] you cannot sell him for more than that.

“For the skill that he has and the resume he has and the strength he is in, I still think it is absolutely fantastic to have Ronaldo.

“My question mark is more tactically. I’m surprised Guardiola would want a player of this age and also a former player from Real Madrid. But also, he just signed Grealish. I think Ronaldo loves to go to the space on the left, even if he can play as a striker.

PA
PA

“But you have Sterling, you have Grealish. Maybe you can have Ronaldo. Of course, you can manage when you have fantastic players, but it is still for me a question mark whether you really need Ronaldo or is it more marketing or merchandising signature for the Blues?”

Sterling, whose current City deal expires in 2023, could leave the Etihad this summer with Ronaldo’s arrival from Juventus.

City smashed the British transfer record to sign Grealish from Aston Villa for a hefty £100m.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Manchester City, Premier League, England, Football, Juventus, Serie A, Italy