Daniel Sturridge was a promising youngster at Manchester City where he first made his name. He didn't manage to fulfil his potential as he never really got to play in his desired position or some could argue his attitude was not right. Sturridge just wasn't cutting it at Manchester City even though it was reported that Mark Hughes was keen on keeping the young striker. This is when Chelsea came in for the youngster who had yet to fully show what he was made of. Chelsea forked out £3.5m for Daniel who once again was under pressure to perform as he was an up and coming star.
Sturridge’s Chelsea career didn't get off to the start that many were expecting and with the changing of Chelsea managers almost yearly, Daniel really struggled to get going at Chelsea. Once again Sturridge was played out of place because Chelsea’s focal point was Didier Drogba. No one was going to displace him. This is when Sturridge took the opportunity to join Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the 2010/2011 season. His loan spell at Bolton was a blessing in disguise. Sturridge showed the form that everyone at Man City and Chelsea expected from him.
Daniel really had a great spell at Bolton where he had the opportunity to showcase his talent in the central striking role. When his loan spell had ended at Bolton, Sturridge had amassed an impressive 8 goals in only 12 appearances. He really was beginning to show his talent. He returned to Chelsea at start the new season under manager Andre Villas Boas. He started the 2011/2012 really well with AVB backing him and giving him game time, even if he was not playing him in his preferred position.
Sturridge was now showing what he could do when a manager backed him. The season passed and Chelsea didn't manage to do well under AVB so he was sacked. Di Matteo came in and didn't really fancy Sturridge. His progress was being halted. Rafa Benitez then came to Chelsea. You could see all the changing of managers was really affecting Daniel and he didn't get enough run of games and his form was dipping. This is when his proverbial god sent came along. Brendan Rodgers the then new Liverpool manager decided that he needed a new promising striker. This was the end of Daniel’s Chelsea career where he scored 13 goals in 63 appearances. In January 2013 Daniel Sturridge became a Liverpool player.
Many Liverpool supporters, myself included, were sceptical about the arrival of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea on a permanent deal for a fee of £12m but with time Sturridge would prove all his doubters and haters wrong. He was really excited about his move to Liverpool and seemed to fit Rodgers’ style of play to a tee. In my opinion Rodgers was the man that kick started Daniel’s Liverpool career and was very influential in making Sturridge settle in well. Brendan is an extremely good man manager. This really benefited Sturridge as Brendan put an arm around him and made him believe he could become a super star.
Sturridge now seems to be thriving under Rodgers as a Liverpool player. He has been given an important role in the team and with Luis Suarez being out due to suspension, Daniel really is showing what a great striker he is. He has started the new 2013/2014 season like a house on fire, scoring an impressive 5 goals in only 4 appearances. Overall since joining Liverpool in January this year he has scored 13 goals in only 17 appearances, that is an incredible return considering so many of us fans were sceptical of his arrival. I put his great run of form solely down to the fact that Brendan Rodgers has given him the chance and has really made Sturridge shine in the lime light. Daniel is now becoming a striker who many opposition defenders fear. May long this great run of form continue.
Source: DSG
