Wayne Rooney believes Chelsea might want to sign an upgrade on Joao Pedro so as to catch up with to difficult for the Premier League title.
Chelsea slumped to a 3-0 defeat away to Everton on Saturday, a result which suggests Liam Rosenior has now lost 4 games in a row in all competitions.
The loss to Everton leaves Chelsea sixth within the Premier League and some extent behind fifth-placed Liverpool, who still occupy the ultimate 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 must sign a number one striker, while Alan Shearer feels each 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 cash they’ve spent,’ Shearer said on Match of the Day.
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‘And until they get that, they’re not going to compete, I don’t think, where they wish to be.’
Rooney then added: ‘I still think the forwards as well.
‘I do know Joao Pedro has done well but I feel for those who’re going to challenge for the massive trophies you would like that centre forward who’s going to encourage you.
‘I just think if you ought to achieve success, if you ought to win trophies, every successful team has good, experienced players of their squad and for those who’re going to go down their model of shopping for young players, selling them, bringing more young players in and attempting to develop them, then I feel it’s going to be very, very difficult.’
Shearer added: ‘They [Chelsea] think that’s the precise approach to buy young and possibly sell on in years to come back and to present long contracts. I’m not so sure.’
Rooney was also asked if he believes that Rosenior is being unfairly targeted.
‘I do, and I feel 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 began rather well and so they hit a foul run of form during the last couple of weeks but he must figure a approach to get out of it.
‘I’ve said it before, he’s a incredible coach but it surely’s going to take time.’
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