Chelsea Transfer News: James Rodriguez Rumour Linked to Cristiano Ronaldo Future

Chelsea are reportedly lining up a surprise move for Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez, who is suggested to be ready to leave the club to escape the shadow cast by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The shock rumours come from Don Balon (h/t Marc Williams of the Daily Star), which claims there would be no shortage of potential buyers if the Colombia international did decide he wanted to move on. For Chelsea, naturally, a player of his class would be a huge coup.

Here’s a look at some of Rodriguez’s finest moments in a Real Madrid shirt since he made the move from Monaco to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2014:

Things certainly aren’t all well with Rodriguez at the moment, as he’s struggled to make a telling impact under new boss Rafael Benitez.

As Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror reported recently, there seems to be some strain between the pair, with Rodriguez shunted around the side in order to try and draw the best from Gareth Bale.

Malyon also writes the Colombian had recently been overweight and as such, is being punished by the manager with a lack of playing time.

CRISTINA QUICLER/Getty Images

There’s no denying Rodriguez has immense quality, though, as we can see here courtesy of these statistics from RMadridHome:

"

James Rodriguez in his Real Madrid career: • 51 Games • 20 Goals • 18 Assists ¡Hala Madrid! pic.twitter.com/5QxgC5ChdC

— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome) December 2, 2015"

Nevertheless, if he’s unhappy with the manager’s decisions, Rodriguez may look to go in search of a new club.

Indeed, as noted by Williams, it’s claimed the Colombian’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is seeking to spread his top clients out around more elite clubs in European football.

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Chelsea would love to get him on board too. Even though Jose Mourinho currently has a clutch of attacking midfield men to pick from, few are as intricate and incisive in their play as Rodriguez.

The 24-year-old is a tremendous talent and if he was to move to Stamford Bridge, would immediately become one of the best players in the Premier League.

Ronaldo is another from the Mendes stable and his own future has been up for debate as of late, with Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague suggesting this campaign could be his final one at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, after netting four goals against Malmo in midweek in the Champions League, Ronaldo insisted he will remain a Madridista.

“It is speculation. Every year, the same thing,” Ronaldo told Antena 3 (h/t Sky Sports). “I am calm, I feel good, and I am happy here. I have two years of contract and I am going to stay here.”

PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/Getty Images

For Madridistas, these words will be comforting. After all, the 30-year-old remains one of the finest footballers in the game and would be hugely difficult to replace if he left the club.

As we can see here courtesy of these figures from the Champions League Twitter feed, Ronaldo is a goal machine:

It’d be a surprise if the futures of Ronaldo and Rodriguez were intertwined, as they’re players who have dovetailed well in the past. However, when it comes to the Colombian, if tensions continue to escalate between himself and Benitez, perhaps a transfer could be on the cards further on down the line.

Chelsea do not seem like likely suitors at this point. The Blues are just two points clear of the relegation zone in the Premier League and while they are likely to get their act together and move up the table, a Champions League place seems beyond them at this juncture. That’s surely something which would be a pre-requisite for Rodriguez when deciding on a potential new club.