How Man City could line up with Ronaldo

Martin Macdonald

Updated: 27 Aug 2021 12:02 BST
3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo remains a prolific scorer deep into his 30s. — © ProShots

Manchester City continue to be linked with a sensational swoop for Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Following the departure of legendary striker Sergio Aguero to Barcelona, Man City have been working to find a replacement, with Tottenham forward Harry Kane the number one choice.

However, Spurs did not budge on their asking price for the England striker, who eventually announced that he would be staying with the club for the 2021/22 campaign.

City have now been forced to look at alternatives, and with Erling Haaland also a highly unlikely acquisition this summer, they have turned their attentions to Ronaldo, who is currently unhappy at Juventus.

It would present a seismic deal for a number of reasons, mostly because the Portuguese superstar is a Man Utd icon.

Indeed, when asked previously about every playing for Man City, he said:

“To play for City not United? I’m not going to do that. Why? Because my heart’s in Manchester United, that’s why.

“I can say it would be very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very difficult to play at Manchester City. Very difficult because of Manchester United.”

Privately, though, he would now be open to the idea, and agent Jorge Mendes is currently in talks with Juventus to engineer an exit for his client.

If the move does happen, how will City line up?

Man City XI with Ronaldo

Ederson will start in goal in front of a back four likely consisting of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo.

Aymeric Laporte is also an option but the Spain international fell out of the team last season due to the impressive resurgence of Stones.

Cancelo can also play at right-back which would allow Oleksandr Zinchenko to come in on the opposite flank.

Fernandinho signed a new one-year extension to remain at Man City but he will be a rotation option, with Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan again the preferred midfield three.

It is in the front three positions that Man City hold a variety of options.

If Ronaldo signs that mean will Gabriel Jesus having reduced playing time.

On the flanks; Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and Ferran Torres will all be battling for minutes.

Foden is the golden boy of the club, so he will probably get the nod on the right with £100m man Grealish on the left.

Guardiola, of course, will rotate the side in just bout every match.

Read more about: Premier League Juventus Man City Man City Man United Aymeric Laporte Bernard Bernardo Silva Cristiano Ronaldo Ederson Moraes Erling Haaland Ferran Torres Gabriel Gabriel Jesus Gabriel Magalhaes Harry Kane Jack Grealish Joao Cancelo John Stones Kevin De Bruyne Kyle Walker Oleksandr Zinchenko Phil Foden Portu Raheem Sterling Riyad Mahrez Rodri Ruben Dias Sergio Agüero İlkay Gündoğan