Rooney to wear No.23 should he make Chelsea switch

It’s of no surprise that all the transfer speculation where Chelsea are concerned revolves around one man since Jose Mourinho told reporters that Wayne Rooney is the club’s sole target.

Whether that’s true or not remains to be seen but many journalists are convinced the Blues will make a second bid and the Daily Star seem pretty insistent that the England forward will move to Stamford Bridge and have gone as far as giving him a number.

Juan Mata is Chelsea’s number 10 so there’s no way Rooney would be able to take his preferred number should he make the switch unless the Spaniard gives it up, which is unlikely, so the only available number with commercial appeal according to the Star is 23.

The number 23 was made iconic by basketball star Michael Jordan during his time with the Chicago Bulls, it also became prominent when another global icon David Beckham wore it for Real Madrid and has been an available number ever since the departure of Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool.

Yesterday Mourinho told reporters that he was ‘calm’ over the transfer target they’re aware of and added that he was happy with the squad. He already has Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba so the situation isn’t quite as desperate in terms of forwards as long as Lukaku is given fair opportunities and time. Torres has been given two-and-a-half years of patience so we can afford to give Lukaku plenty of time to adjust to what is a different pressure to the one he faced at West Brom last season.

The Rooney rumours, just like any transfer story, have to be taken with a pinch of salt and there’s no telling how things will pan out. There’s plenty of time between now and the close of the summer transfer window. Games are being played by Mourinho, Manchester United and Rooney’s representatives, so expect a few twists and turns between now and then.

Source: Daily Star