Chelsea FC Champions Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 PHIL SCOLARI declared war on Alex Ferguson by telling him: I want to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.The Chelsea chief’s revelation lit the fuse for tomorrow’s big Battle of the Bridge with Fergie’s Manchester United. Big Phil, Ronaldo’s Portugal boss before taking over the Blues, said: “Maybe next season, Cristiano is with me. Tell him if he wants to change, I’ll open the door for him.†Scolari’s comments on the eve of the title rivals’ epic clash are certain to infuriate Fergie. The pair have been at loggerheads all week after the Scot (below) claimed the FA favoured the Londoners by overturning John Terry’s red card at Manchester City. He can now face United tomorrow. But Big Phil hit back — and showed he can play mind games too — with his comments about Ron. Despite appearing to be tongue-in-cheek, there is no doubt Scolari would jump at the chance to sign the winger. It is not the first time the two managers have crossed swords over Ronaldo. When Scolari was Ron’s Portugal manager at Euro 2008, he told the winger to follow his heart and seal a controversial switch to boyhood idols Real Madrid. Ronaldo is set to make his first start of the season for United tomorrow after recovering from ankle surgery. Scolari added: “He will leave United one day because he won’t play for 50 years. “If he goes to another club, whether in one year or two years, I don’t know. He’s my friend. I like him as a father likes his son. But his life is his life. “When I arrived in Portugal, Ronaldo was a kid. A young boy of 17. “At that time, he had a good character. He was starting as a very good professional, but at that time he was already thinking about his future. “He’s improved himself, very well, in the five or six years since. More in Manchester than with the national team. Advertisement “He lives in Manchester 11 months of the year and spends only one month a year with the national team. “I’ve seen him improve. Next season, I can see him as a captain with Portugal. He’s a very good man, helps the other players, a good attitude on and off the pitch. “Ronaldo, has grown up, matured. Now, at this time of life, Ronaldo is mature and is better than one or two years ago. “Now he is one of the three best players in the world. I said that two years ago, and I repeat it now. I never said he was the best, and I won’t now. “I have some players here who are fantastic, and I’d never say they are the best. He is one of three, one of five, one of 10.†Source Source Source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loz Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Oh dear - and there we were just thinking that maybe we had a manager that didn't get involved in this silly games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clubhappy Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Good man Phil :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruh Buh Juh Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Muhuhahaha, Big Phil knows what he's doing...:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lofty Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 To be fair, it's not exactly a massive statement of intent, more like "if he's available and he wants to join me then I might be interested": Now these three players are with me, it's good for me - maybe Cristiano Ronaldo is with me next season.If he wants to change, I'll open the door to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maksimov Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 The journo(s) probably asked him if he'd like to sign Ronaldo, I doubt he just "declared" it out of the blue(no pun intended). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruh Buh Juh Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 I think it's just a bit of mind games before the big match. He obviously wouldn't say no to Ronaldo if he wanted to sign for us (I don't think anyone would say no), but it was just him playing with Fergie's head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PloKoon13 Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 lol, he was just kidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virosh Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 lol, he was just kidding. Exactly - don't make anything more out of it. It was an innocent joke. Besides, it would never happen and I think I am not alone in it NOT wanting to happen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PloKoon13 Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Exactly - don't make anything more out of it. It was an innocent joke. Besides, it would never happen and I think I am not alone in it NOT wanting to happen I agree. I was ashamed enough at Ashley Cole throwing himself around on the floor today, I don't want a professional cheat in the side as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad_mac Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Really, I think Ashley has made a great road toward developing as an attacking full back. He doesn't fall about nearly as much as in the past, and doesn't complain to the ref as much. For once, he's mainly letting his football do the talking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PloKoon13 Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Really, I think Ashley has made a great road toward developing as an attacking full back. He doesn't fall about nearly as much as in the past, and doesn't complain to the ref as much. For once, he's mainly letting his football do the talking I know, I love the guy and he's a great left-back, but when he dived against Hargreaves today, and then acted like he'd been cheated out of a marriage, I wasn't best pleased... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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