The Blues reckoned the brilliant midfielder - now with Spurs -
was "not good enough."
So they rejected a £10million deal and instead spent £24m on
Yossi Benayoun and Ramires.
A Chelsea insider revealed: "We had a call to say Jose Mourinho
was ready to let Van der Vaart leave Real Madrid for around £10m
and did we want him.
"But it was decided he wasn't good enough so we passed on him.
That's not looking the best of decisions is it?"
Van der Vaart instead joined Tottenham for £8m on deadline day
and has been an instant hit with 10 goals so far this season.
But Ramires and Benayoun have both failed to make any
significant impact. Israeli Benayoun, 30, has managed six games
having been sidelined since September with a ruptured Achilles.
Brazilian Ramires, 23, has struggled to come to terms with the
pace and power of the Premier League.
SunSport's Chelsea source added: "Van der Vaart is just the sort
of player we need - someone with flair, skill and vision.
"Our midfielders are too alike - they are strong and powerful,
good athletes but not with a great deal of invention."