LEOS LONDON- Sturridge could do worse than follow example of Kakuta
26 Nov 2009 - 09:56:19
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***************************************************************************************************************** Daniel Sturridge could learn a lesson or two from Chelsea's latest young debutant. Gael Kakuta has been working extremely hard to keep himself in shape since a ban on him playing was imposed because of a transfer row.
So much so in fact that the club used him as a substitute against Wolves on Saturday, watched him struggle a little to find form in the reserves on Monday and then flew him with them to Porto anyway.
High hopes: Carlo Ancelotti welcomes Daniel Sturridge in the summer
His attitude and commitment have been impressive and he has been rewarded. Sturridge, on the other hand, has slipped out of the reckoning for now and could be left a long way behind at the rate he is going.
Just a few months after making a big move from Manchester City, the 20-year-old has already earned himself a reputation for having a bad attitude.
It sounds like Sturridge is a big-timer before he has proved he can cut it at the top and, injury niggles or not, seeing Kakuta's elevation will either sting him into action or make him sulk. If he wants to be a star player at a top club, there shouldn't be any question about what his reaction will be.
Charlton's chairman Richard Murray will meet 300 of the club's fans on Thursday night and is sure to be asked about the terrifying prospect of going into administration.
He will reassure them that the rumours doing the rounds about a January doomsday are wrong, but little more.
Hard times: Richard Murray
As one of the directors who contributed to a new £7millioninvestment in September, Murray is likely to explain that Charltonshould be able to cover their costs until the end of the season.
Selling off high-earning and under-performing players may happen if other clubs will take them. So, it is business as usual.
What happens if Charlton have not been bought by next summer though is another matter. The club have debts north of £30million and in their last published accounts, which cover a year to summer 2008 when they finished safely in mid-table of the Championship, the accountants spelt out how difficult things were becoming.
On the back of an £11.5million loss, they said: 'Funds from further player sales and the continuing support and facilities from the group's bankers and directors allow the group to continue its normal day to day activities.'
Bankers are less willing these days to extend overdraft facilities - quite the contrary - and the well of money from Charlton's directors will surely run dry soon.
But supporters should not fear that the club are standing idly by. Charlton are certainly not the only ones in the Football League in this sort of position. It is just that none of the others have their history.
Flying high: Akpo Sodje (centre) celebrates his goal against Bristol Rovers
A quarter of a century after they almost went to the wall and then became a nomadic club, it is no surprise that their executives are leaving no stone unturned in their search for a solution.
They have come close to changing hands on three occasions in the last year and have a decent club to offer. Few clubs in trouble have their selling points.
Charlton's well connected London base is a plus, the ground and training facilities are of a better standard than the division they are in and promotion this season is a very real prospect after their 4-2 win against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night. It is just a job convincing the super-rich to try to taken on a project like theirs in a downturn.
Steven Reid could be a very good signing for QPR and deserves a bit of luck after his injury problems. Always a hard worker and solid performer, the former Millwall man will bring good experience and commitment to the Championship club during his loan spell.
He is also out of contract next summer and would be a good longer term option if he gets back to his best, providing Blackburn or the other Premier League clubs monitoring him don't offer a deal first.
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