Wayne Rooney says Chelsea need to sign a striker who will ‘inspire’ his teammates (BBC)
Wayne Rooney believes Chelsea will need to sign an upgrade on Joao Pedro in order to get closer to challenging for the Premier League title.
Chelsea slumped to a 3-0 defeat away to Everton on Saturday, a result which means Liam Rosenior has now lost four games in a row in all competitions.
The loss to Everton leaves Chelsea sixth in the Premier League and a point behind fifth-placed Liverpool, who still occupy the final Champions League qualification spot after being beaten 2-1 by Brighton on Saturday.
Pedro, meanwhile, has scored 14 Premier League goals this season following his £60 million move from Brighton last summer.
But Rooney believes Chelsea still need to sign a leading striker, while Alan Shearer feels both a goalkeeper and a centre-back are needed at Stamford Bridge.
‘They haven’t got a top-class goalkeeper, they haven’t got a top-class centre-half, despite the money they’ve spent,’ Shearer said on Match of the Day.
Joao Pedro has scored 14 Premier League goals for Chelsea this season (PA Wire)
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‘And until they get that, they’re not going to compete, I don’t think, where they want to be.’
Rooney then added: ‘I still think the forwards as well.
‘I know Joao Pedro has done well but I think if you’re going to challenge for the big trophies you need that centre forward who is going to inspire you.
‘I just think if you want to be successful, if you want to win trophies, every successful team has good, experienced players in their squad and if you’re going to go down their model of buying young players, selling them, bringing more young players in and trying to develop them, then I think it’s going to be very, very difficult.’
Shearer added: ‘They [Chelsea] think that’s the right way to buy young and maybe sell on in years to come and to give long contracts. I’m not so sure.’
Wayne Rooney claims Liam Rosenior has been unfairly targeted since joining Chelsea (PA Wire)
Rooney was also asked if he believes that Rosenior is being unfairly targeted.
‘I do, and I think he has been from the moment he went in really,’ Rooney said.
‘Listen, Liam knows himself that he’ll get judged on results. He’s started really well and they hit a bad run of form over the last couple of weeks but he needs to figure a way to get out of it.
‘I’ve said it before, he’s a fantastic coach but it’s going to take time.’
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