Why Chelsea Need Wayne Rooney Ths Summer and What They Need to Do to Get Him

Almost a year ago, Chelsea were taken apart by Atletico Madrid in the European Super Cup. Bearing in mind it was Roberto Di Matteo's first chance to win a trophy as permanent manager of the Blues, it was a big deal.

No doubt, everybody knew the Spanish side were capable, but none expected them to deliver the 4-1 thrashing they handed Chelsea. A hat-trick from Radamel Falcao stunned the West London club, and it was a marker for their high level of performance that season, with the capital-based club finishing third in La Liga.

But it was the Colombian who they had their eye on, per Sky Sports, and after a stunning campaign which saw Falcao net 34 goals in 40 appearances, it looked as if Roman Abramovich was sizing up a move to bring the 27-year-old to Stamford Bridge, per Goal.com.

For once, though, the Russian didn't get what he wanted, as Falcao opted to join ambitious Ligue 1 side Monaco, who paid a whopping €60 million for the ex-Porto striker.

Chelsea had missed out on the world's most in-form striker and their top target for the summer.

And then there was Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan international was another player who had impressed greatly while playing against Chelsea, scoring twice in the Champions League last-16 clash over a year ago. But, after a rumoured bid from Chelsea, another French side, Paris Saint-Germain, stole a march on the 26-year-old star and sealed a £55 million deal with his club Napoli. 

Once again, the Blues had been beaten to their top target, and the amount of quality strikers available is slowly decreasing, with Mario Gomez joining Fiorentina, Napoli signing Gonzalo Higuain and Manchester City snapping up Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic.

There is one more marquee signing available, and despite Jose Mourinho's claims that he is happy with his squad, per Sky Sports, the Portuguese boss has confirmed he is tracking Manchester United star Wayne Rooney, as reported by The Telegraph.

The tactician confirmed that he was looking to bring the England striker to Stamford Bridge, and it seems that they are determined to secure his signature, with a second bid prepared for the 27-year-old after the initial £20 million bid was turned down, according to ESPN. 

Many would argue that with Fernando Torres, Romelu Lukaku and Demba Ba—a strikeforce which cost £75 million to assemble—the Blues simply do not need another striker.

Mourinho could justify his pursuit on the basis of a lack of firepower, given that Torres and Ba scored just 10 Premier League goals between them last season. But also because with Rooney, a manager gets far more than just one type of player. 

Deployed as playmaker, a winger or a main striker, he's played in practically every midfield position. Rooney has even played in central midfield, and the fact he is so versatile and willing to play anywhere gives a manager like Mourinho several options about where to play him.

There are many attributes that the England international has that separate him from the rest, but none more so than his intelligence on the ball. When in possession, he always has his head up, looking around for possible openings and making himself aware of his surroundings. Usually, when he sees a pass, he executes it with precision, and to have a player with such incredible accuracy is always a bonus.

Some of the best players in the world—Andres Iniesta and Frank Lampard to name a few—seem to always know how much time they have on the ball, and are constantly thinking about their next move.

Rooney is no different; if he drops deep, his favoured move is to spread the ball out to the flanks and make his runs forward. If he is further advanced, he looks to have the ball into feet, thus allowing him to hold up the play and bring others into the attacking move.

To have a player with such movement and vision is key to any side, and if Manchester United were to sell Rooney, they would soon feel the difference.

What the Red Devils may lose could be Chelsea's gain. Despite the undoubted quality in the squad, Mourinho seems to lack a forward who is looking to pick up the ball from deep. Natural strikers such as Torres and Ba tend to rest on the shoulder of the last defender, while Lukaku tends to float around the channels, looking to use his pace. 

Granted, Rooney drops too deep sometimes, acting as a deep-lying playmaker from time to time. But his general support play and ability to create a moment of magic from nowhere makes him a valuable asset; for that sole reason, perhaps signing Rooney could be similar to having Chelsea legend Didier Drogba back at the club.

For a while now, the Blues have been missing a player who can conjure up a last-gasp goal with a 30-yard strike. Tottenham have Gareth Bale, Robin van Persie was vital for Manchester United last season and Manchester City have arguably four players that can do just that. For Chelsea, only Juan Mata has that ability, and it's time for the burden to be lifted.

No doubt, Mourinho is set to play the mind games over Rooney as he sizes up a second offer, per The Guardian. As well as taking one of the best players in the Premier League from a direct title challenger, the mastermind will look to inflict as much psychological damage to the Lancashire club too by drawing out the process, allowing Rooney to become unsettled and frustrated with the lack of movement on the deal.

Ideally, having the former Everton striker handing in a transfer request would be the catalyst of another Chelsea move, and a serious bid too. The £20 million offer was a test of resolve, to see just how much Manchester United valued Rooney and to let the club know they their interest was indeed serious.

If Chelsea are solely focused on getting their man, it would take a bid of around £35 million to force David Moyes' hand. After all, one must consider Manchester United's pursuit of Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas, per BBC Sport, and the former Arsenal star would cost around the same figure as what they would demand for Rooney.

Just like with Ashley Cole back in 2006, Mourinho was patient and worked extremely hard to lure the left-back to Stamford Bridge. And while he is unlikely to repeat his illegal actions which resulted in heavy fines, as reported by BBC Sport, the Portuguese boss would be more than willing to wait until the last day of the window in order to get his top target.

To miss out on Rooney is not a problem for Mourinho, as he has already said he is "calm" due to his happiness over the current squad, per The Independent.

To sign the England striker, however, could be the turning point of the season before it has even started.