Jordan Henderson or Raheem Sterling: Who Would Be a Better Buy for Chelsea?

Now that the summer transfer window is fast approaching, the rumours are intensifying for Chelsea and the rest of Europe's leading clubs.

As Jose Mourinho looks to strengthen his squad to defend the Premier League title he has all but secured this season, Liverpool's Jordan Henderson is one of the names already being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.

The Daily Star reported earlier this month that stalled contract talks between the player and his club could see Chelsea make a move for him.

No sooner were those rumours doing the rounds, though, Henderson is now all set to sign a new five-year deal at Anfield, per Sky Sports.

That shouldn't disappoint Chelsea anyway; it's Henderson's team-mate Raheem Sterling they should be chasing.

One must feel for Brendan Rodgers right now.

After three years at Liverpool, he has seen plenty of progress on the field, transforming the Reds' style of play and coming close to winning the Premier League in the process.

But after some near misses on the trophy trail, things are beginning to crumble around him.

Last year it was his talisman Luis Suarez being sold to Barcelona, and now he faces the prospect of another prize asset in Sterling being the subject of a mega-money move this summer.

We're hearing all sorts, namely that Sterling's refused a £100,000-per-week contract extension, per The Telegraph.

Jon Super/Associated Press

That's put clubs on alert, and apparently Manchester City are leading the race to sign him, per the Daily Mail. Even Juventus are tracking Sterling with the view of using funds from the potential sale of Paul Pogba to finance the deal, according to the Mirror.

The latest is that Sterling could buy out his contract in order to force through a move to Chelsea, as reported by the Daily Star.

It's certainly an unsettling time to be Liverpool boss.

What this whole saga has done is leave the club vulnerable. Rodgers faces another summer of upheaval, with the prospect of having to integrate an influx of players once more to try making his team competitive with the Premier League's Champions League clubs.

It's going to be an arduous task to convince the best players that Anfield is the place to be. And it's going to be harder to convince Sterling his future is with Liverpool.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Chelsea should strike now.

Mourinho did his business efficiently last summer. Before the World Cup had even started, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa were Chelsea players, and it needs to be a similar approach with Sterling.

Not only is he in high demand, but a player of his qualities will transform this Chelsea team.

They already have Eden Hazard on the left, so the prospect of Sterling on either the right or through the middle, feeding off Fabregas behind him, is tantalising.

Someone like Henderson would solidify Chelsea's midfield, although they have plenty of cover in that area already. He comes with high energy and can drive forward, but then so can Ramires and Willian.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Then there is the emerging Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a player we already know will be a big part of Mourinho's team for 2015/16.

What Chelsea lack is more of what Sterling offers. He's dynamic, puts teams on the back foot and would allow the Blues to hit teams hard on the counter.

Right now it's all about Hazard. With Sterling, it wouldn't have to be.

We've seen how Chelsea can play this season. There has been an effervescence about them at times, yet Mourinho has enough guile to ensure he has more than a plan B when the moment calls for it.

It wasn't pretty against Manchester United last weekend, although a game plan to soak up pressure before hitting Louis van Gaal's side on the counter worked to perfection.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Mourinho utilised his team perfectly, squeezing every ounce of quality from his players. That performance was about so much more than being elite footballers; it was about discipline, hard work and determination.

As Mourinho put himself, Chelsea had United "in their pockets." They succumbed to their relentless approach.

With the addition of Sterling, Chelsea would have more teams in their pockets, but in the opposite way.

He is still only 20 years old, with much to prove in football before he can be properly considered in the higher echelons of players—a place where some already consider he regards himself.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Yet Sterling's qualities are clear.

With his age and profile, he fits the bill of where Chelsea are focusing their attentions right now. Not only does he offer a solution in the short term, he has a long career ahead of him to be a vital asset for the foreseeable future.

There is the question of cost and how Sterling would impact Chelsea's financial fair play structure, yet that can be offset against his age.

Sterling's dangled the carrot to the Premier League's elite, and now Chelsea must ensure they get the first bite.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes.