Let's move on from the torrent of Torres articles, and talk about Sturridge, our only realistic striking option until Jan. Well, ok, before we do that, I'd like to throw in this gem, from WAGNH:
"In one game against West Bromwich Albion, most of which was spent as a winger, Daniel Sturridge matched Torres' shot output from the last four Premier League matches combined. If Torres made any real gains in the first month or so of the season, they've evaporated so thoroughly that Chelsea have effectively been contesting matches with ten men in the starting lineup."
Graham omitted to mention the fact that in the game against West Brom, Sturridge scored as many goals as Torres did in the last four EPL games. If anyone wants to check out the full article, it's http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2012/11/18/3659378/fernando-torres-is-donehere - probably the best summary of Torres' time at Chelsea of which I'm aware.
Our midfield is excellent, and most decent strikers would look very good playing in our team. To those still arguing this point, stop it with the "Torres does not get enough service/does not get the right service" argument - you can't provide service to a CF who does not get himself into goalscoring positions. When you provide service to a CF, and he repeatedly misses, or does not take the opportunity to shoot, you learn not to pass to that person.
I'm not sure any team has ever done more for a striker than we have for Torres. In the Chelsea and Spain teams, Torres has two of the best midfields in the world supplying him, and cannot click well with either. Good guy, but probably a needs to head back to Pool, Madrid, or maybe new pastures (PSG) to find some kind of form and inspiration again.
Anyway, that's it - enough about Torres. Hopefully, RDM gives Sturridge a fair chance, uses Torres as a super-sub from now on, and if necessary, picks up Falcao, Cavani, Llorente, Peter Crouch, Harry Redknapp's mother, or some other competent and capable forward in January. It is now Sturridge's time to shine, and hopefully, he can rekindle the form and promise that he used to show at Bolton.
Since Sturridge first started playing for City, I thought he showed great potential; thus far, it has been unfulfilled. It is only a matter of time until Dan fulfills his potential, and it would be great if he can do it at Chelsea instead of Liverpool, for example.
Sturridge
posted on 19/11/12
You can be blasé about some things, but not about Titanic. It's over a hundred feet longer than the Mauritania and far more luxurious.
posted on 19/11/12
Good article
posted on 19/11/12
I like that you say stop talking about Torres and then proceed to make an article about him.
posted on 19/11/12
"In one game against West Bromwich Albion, most of which was spent as a winger, Daniel Sturridge matched Torres' shot output from the last four Premier League matches combined.'
Omg that is so awful
posted on 19/11/12
Not really, Sturridge has a shoot on sight (or not) policy and will rarely give the ball to a supporting player even with a better opportunity. Shot output is all well and good but unless it results in a goal you have the same result. Frustrated fans.
posted on 19/11/12
Not really, Sturridge has a shoot on sight (or not) policy and will rarely give the ball to a supporting player even with a better opportunity. Shot output is all well and good but unless it results in a goal you have the same result. Frustrated fans.
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After watching our current CF wander to AM or the wing, or refuse to shoot when in position, I can welcome a bit of selfishness from a striker. Part of the reason for Sturridge's selfishness has to do with the fact that he's been used as a supersub, and thus, tries to capitalize on every half-chance.
To find form, Sturridge needs a couple of games in which he's assured he's our first choice CF - otherwise, there is an inordinate amount of pressure on him, and his decision-making will not improve much. As he gets a run of a few games, he should start to click with the new team, and the goals should come. At the very least, Sturridge gives himself opportunities to score goals, as opposed to the Torres, who constantly undermines himself through questionable positioning, over-cautious shot-picking, etc.
Ancelotti's main weakness was that he kept doing the same thing when it obviously wasn't working. I'd expect RDM not to make the same mistake - he needs to start taking chances, and switch the striker that doesn't score out of the team, no matter the price tag. Perhaps even bring Bamford on to the bench to create a semblance of competition and squad depth. If being challenged by a player at that point in his development doesn't give our strikers a kick in the posterior, and jolt of motivation, I'm not sure what will.
"I like that you say stop talking about Torres and then proceed to make an article about him."
It was an article to mark the transition from Torres to Sturridge, so both were mentioned. Also, steam had to be vented.
posted on 19/11/12
I'm not saying there is anything wrong with a shoot on sight principle just giving a possible explanation why he has more shots.
posted on 19/11/12
I share the opinion of many posters here, both Chelsea fans and opposition fans.
Sturridge has had all the chances in the World while at CFC, yet never performed like Torres - who won us THAT corner and scored THAT key goal against Barca which allowed us to relax in the remaining 5 minutes of the game. I also seemed to remember we played Sturridge 24 hours up top without him getting a goal last season. And he moaned after we won the CL and also he said not care if we win or loose. Oh wait that wasn't him never mind.
I mean look at all the chances he has gotten to play as a striker:
Manchester United(CC) - 120 minutes
Manchester United - 10 minutes
QPR - 10 minutes
Donetsk(A) - 21 minutes
Donestk(H) - 1 minute
Liverpool - 9 minutes
United - 30 minutes
He should have around 10 goals at minimum after we gave him so many chances - we are the Champions of Europe and we create about 100 chances per match most of them coming in the last 10 minutes when we are chasing a result. What Sturridge has done in his 315 minutes on the field is unacceptable, I don't care about excuses such as match practice. I'd fully expect if Chicharito or Dzeko were given 190 minutes up top for them to have around 20 goals.
In any case Torres should start all our games till armageddon. Or Daniel should learn from Torres, you're not supposed to make runs and take shots lad - next time you get one on one take 3 extra touches allowing a defender to block you before you even have a chance to shoot. Shooting is overrated anyway as proven by Torres this season in his 1600 minutes on the field. He is doing other things really well, like standing around flatfooted in the area; getting dispossessed leading to other teams leaving their defence exposed as they counter attack; passing around 30% of his passes to the opposition allowing our players to regroup; putting pressure on the referee with his stunned looked after he loses the ball and doesn't get a foul.