Former Chelsea Striker: Mourinho Should Have Signed Belgium Star

Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino believes Jose Mourinho should have made an approach for Aston Villa star Christian Benteke in the summer transfer window.

The Europa League winners were keen to add Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney to their squad and made two official bids for the England international's signature, both of which were rebuffed by the Premier League champions.

Chelsea turned their attention to Samuel Eto'o from Anzhi Makhachkala instead. Cascarino claims a move for Benteke would have been a far better option than the former Barcelona man as the Belgium international's addition would have bolstered the Blues' attack.

The Stamford Bridge outfit has struggled to replace former talismanic marksman Didier Drogba.

"I spoke over the summer about the urgency of buying a replacement for Drogba and I thought the best player out there was Benteke. I felt that would have been a massive statement. He's the type of the player they needed in the way they play," Cascarino told talkSPORT.

"The way Mourinho's teams have played over the years, he loves that physical man, and he doesn't have it. He has three forwards and doesn't know which one to pick. It would have made a huge difference [getting Benteke in]."

Meanwhile, Andy Gray believes Chelsea have committed a blunder in letting Romelu Lukaku join Everton on a season-long loan on the final day of the summer transfer window. The Belgium international impressed during his loan spell with West Bromwich Albion, scoring 17 goals in the league.

"They have got a young kid who looks as close to a young Didier Drogba as I have seen in Romelu Lukaku. If you score 17 goals in the Premier League for West Brom last season, you must be doing something right, because they don't create as much as Chelsea," Gray explained.

"I was astounded he [Mourinho] let him go and brought in Samuel Eto'o. I don't see what the positive move is in that. The young kid showed last year he is ready to go. He is a Belgium international, he has had a full season in the Premier League - I can't fathom why Jose would think he is not ready for the Premier League with Chelsea."