Parramatta legend Peter Sterling has warned the NRL club not to sign Cooper Cronk and instead focus on ensuring they get the best out of their incumbent young halves.
Cronk is on the lookout for a Sydney club following his 14-season stint with Melbourne, and the Sydney Roosters remain the front-runners to nab the Kangaroos halfback.
Cronulla are also in the frame, while the Eels emerged as a contender over the weekend when coach Brad Arthur noted they have salary cap space to accommodate 33-year-old Cronk.
Arthur worked with Cronk as an assistant coach at the Storm.
But Sterling, who won four premierships as the Eels' halfback during their 1980's dominance, wants the club to put their energy into the blossoming halves partnership of Corey Norman, 26, and 23-year-old Mitchell Moses.
"I don't think they need Cooper Cronk," Sterling told radio show Triple M Dead Set Legends on Monday night.
"To me the future of Parramatta for many seasons to come is Corey Norman and Mitchell Moses. The improvement they made in a very short period of time in the second half of this season under the coaching of Brad Arthur was fantastic. They finished top four.
"I don't think you're messing with that combination. You're getting them to play as much football as you can together. They are the future six and seven of the Eels and I would hope they're going to be around alongside each other for many seasons to come."
Moses made a huge difference to the Eels following his mid-season move from the West Tigers, helping to spark their attack as they surged up the ladder.
The Eels' premiership bid was ended by North Queensland in a 24-16 semi-final defeat.
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