The European Stars Chelsea's Secret Scouting App Should Be Identifying

The Daily Mail revealed this week that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is using a secret iPad app to help determine who the Blues should be signing.

The report claims the new technology persuaded Abramovich to abandon a proposed move for Radamel Falcao, who later joined Ligue 1 outfit Monaco from Atletico Madrid this summer.

Chelsea instead opted to bring in Andre Schurrle over the Colombian ace—and for a fraction of the price, too.

It's a revelation that comes with an air of Moneyball about it, with the app crunching statistics from a database at Stamford Bridge, feeding information to a minority of Chelsea's big wigs, including the owner and manager Jose Mourinho.

The Mail claims Chelsea's Portuguese boss sees the scouting system as the most advanced in world football, even outstripping that of previous club Real Madrid.

Along with Schurrle, Chelsea have also added Marco van Ginkel to their ranks in the current transfer window, along with free signing Mark Schwarzer in goal.

But who else should they be looking at? Bleacher Report identifies five players from Europe who should be scoring high on Abramovich's iPad.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout the 2013-14 season. Follow him on Twitter here: @garryhayes

Daniele De Rossi

OK, we know, debates surrounding Chelsea's need to strengthen their ranks with a defensive midfielder this summer have become somewhat of a broken record in recent weeks.

But while we may be growing tired of hearing it, it doesn't make the fact any less true with the Blues appearing short in a key area of the pitch.

The Daily Mail's report regarding Roman Abramovich's private scouting app at Stamford Bridge suggests players "scoring less than 90 percent in various areas of their game" are not considered as potential recruits.

Now, we can only speculate how the club scouts come to those scores, but a player of Daniele De Rossi's ilk must surely make the grade.

The Italian is one of the leading players in his position and at 30 years old, remains a fine talent. He has a wealth of experience, both on the international stage and with his club side Roma, and his tenacious style would seem the perfect fit for Premier League football.

He can tackle, pass and his positioning is often without fault—all aspects of what makes the perfect defensive midfielder.

Turning 30 this July is potentially the only negative where De Rossi is concerned, but given all he has achieved in his career and what he can offer in the short term, his profile must surely be flashing on the radar of Chelsea's secretive scouting app.

Stephan El Shaarawy

Chelsea's varying pursuits of strikers have been well-documented this summer.

First there was Radamel Falcao (via The Mirror), Edinson Cavani (via Metro) and now the Blues are very publicly courting Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (via BBC Sport), while Samuel Eto'o has also been mooted as a possibility in the Daily Mail.

For a number of reasons, moves for Falcao and Cavani didn't come off, while the possibility of Rooney moving to Stamford Bridge is by no means guaranteed.

With that in mind, Stephan El Shaarawy is a name that must be on the mind of Roman Abramovich. He will certainly have made his way onto the Russian oligarch's iPad.

The 20-year-old enjoyed a fine season with AC Milan last year, surprising many onlookers with a return of 18 goals in all competitions.

According to the Express, he has already been considered this summer by the Blues, but perhaps they should reconsider their desire to test Milan's resolve.

Erik Lamela

And back to Rome we go.

Chelsea's scouts wouldn't have had too far to travel away from first-team affairs in preseason to catch a glimpse of Erik Lamela, with the Argentinean youngster finding the back of the net against the Blues for Roma in their recent encounter in Washington.

Roma lost that that night, and they could be losing out in the near future if they're not careful, as Lamela is a player going places and is sure to catch the attention of club's across the continent.

According to The Guardian, Tottenham Hotspur are interested, and we can expect many more to be chasing the 21-year-old's signature.

Chelsea already have a wealth of attacking talent, but every major club is looking to strengthen their ranks. A move for Lamela would be too soon right now given what they have at their disposal, but if he continues his development, Lamela could be one player grabbing the Chelsea's attention in the coming seasons.

Provided he doesn't get get snapped up before then, of course.

Jack Wilshere

A little closer to home, Jack Wilshere is a player who would suit Chelsea's continued development.

With the ability to play further forward in midfield or a rather more withdrawn role, the young Englishman could be the perfect foil for Marco van Ginkel.

Not only are the pair talented individuals, but given their age (a combined 41 years old), Chelsea would have a midfield partnership ready to dominate European football for many years to come.

Would Wilshere leave Arsenal? It's unlikely, but this summer Chelsea have already outlined their intent to poach stars from their rivals with numerous bids for Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (via Daily Telegraph).

Given his talent, Wilshere would be another star worth fighting for. And who's to say the prospect of regular trophies—something that hasn't been forthcoming for any Arsenal players for almost a decade—and a major wage hike wouldn't be enough to turn his head?

Luke Shaw

The age of Ashley Cole must surely be a concern for Chelsea. And with the clock winding down on the left-back's career, now is the time they will be looking for his long-term replacement.

Ryan Bertrand has shown plenty of endeavor for the Blues, but the jury remains out on the Stamford Bridge youth product. Failing Bertrand doesn't develop into a left-back of quality, Luke Shaw is a player Chelsea need to keep a close eye on.

He only turned 18 this July, but demonstrated his class last season with an excellent debut Premier League campaign for Southampton, making 28 appearances in all competitions.

Saints secured him to a five-year contract shortly after his 18th birthday, an indication of how highly valued he is at St. Mary's. Not only that, it gives the club an insurance policy when commanding a fee, and given his talent, they must suspect the chances are high that he will be leaving before the contract is renewed.

When the time comes, where it be though? Chelsea need to make sure it's Stamford Bridge.