Daniel Sturridge

Sorry for another Sturridge article because I know there's been two today already but I've wanted to say something for a long time but I haven't. Also I know that the majority of you are going to hate me for saying this but this is what I think.

I think Sturridge MUST stay next season. First of all I do understand the negativity he receives. I believe he needs to pass more and track back. However you need to remember for all his youth he has been taught to play as a striker and people here are expecting him to do amazingly as a winger. If he hadn't started the season so well he wouldn't have been slated as much towards the end of the season. Our expectations of him have become too high.

My next point is that he is only 22 years old and he is not the finished article. He has had his first breakthrough season and it has been a typical breakthrough season for anyone who has a lot of potential. We have seen that he is a very good player but he hasn't been too consistent. People expect him to play week in week out a brilliant game (even out of position). For playing on the wing he has had a stunning breakthrough season scoring 13 in 41 appearances in all competitions while playing out of position. You must face the fact that Torres has scored only 11 in 46 while playing in his favored position. I know how much Torres has worked for the team and contributed a lot (believe me I love him as much as some of you do) but who has had a better season on the whole, Torres or Sturridge(while playing out of position)?

I also think that if we get rid of him then every PL club will be lining him up. If he goes to a club and plays regularly as a striker he will score at least 15 PL and probably 20 in all competitions. He clearly has potential and we will regret selling him. Also people are saying that we should look for around 15-20 million for him which I agree on. However if Jordan Henderson is worth 20 million then what is Sturridge worth?

I think Sturridge would work well playing up front in a two next to a bigger striker. I think this because when he played up front for Bolton with Kevin Davis he scored 8 in 12. Maybe playing up top with Lukaku would help, but I do understand we play in a 4231 which is the way forward. But maybe the two at the top could be used as a plan B. I think if we get Hulk and Lucas/Hazard (which im praying we do) then we can easily rotate Sturridge up front with Torres and if neither of them two work then we have Hulk. We can also rotate him with Hulk on the RW. I think Lukaku would benefit from a loan spell in the PL but if he stays then he will rotate up top.

I do understand he has attitude problems but he is young and will learn I'm sure. He is no way near as bad as Balotelli in terms of attitude. What I think we should do is give him at least another season and go on from there. We know what he is capable of doing, we just need to give him a chance.

I know I'm going to get a lot of 1 stars for this article, oh well.

Rant over.