Chelsea rumours: Spain striker Paco Alcacer scouted at Valencia

A number of Spain internationals, including fellow forwards Diego Costa and Pedro Rodriguez, could also become club teammates of Paco should this apparent interest in him be firmed up during the winter window.

Mourinho previously poached the best talent from Portugal, particularly during his first spell in charge of Chelsea, but last season’s captures of Costa and Cesc Fabregas were followed up this summer by the Blues gazumping Manchester United’s pursuit of Pedro.

Spanish sensations have been en vogue for much of the last decade, with a hugely successful time for La Liga beginning by Barcelona beating Arsenal in the 2006 Champions League final and three other titles followed.

The Catalan giants’ relative dominance of European club football was supplemented by La Roja claiming three international tournaments on the spin (Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012), sweeping aside all-comers with tiki-taka football in its pomp.

Paco is La Roja future

Spain’s shock slump in their bid to defend the World Cup in 2014 signalled the end of an era, and national coach Vicente del Bosque made bold changes in reaction to their group stage exit.

Paco’s promotion from La Roja’s youth side was one of those alterations, and he has rewarded his country with six goals in just 10 senior caps to date.

Chelsea supporters should get a closer look at what he can do when England play Spain in Alicante during the next international break in November, as Roy Hodgson’s men begin their preparations for the Euro 2016 tournament finals.

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