Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas could start Daniel Sturridge against Bolton Wanderers
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas hinted striker Daniel Sturridge could be given a start against Bolton Wanderers on Sunday. With Fernando Torres suspended, either Sturridge or Romelu Lukaku could start alongside Didier Drogba. The 22-year-old returned to
Stamford Bridge in the summer after a successful half-a-season long loan spell at the Reebok Stadium, which the Portuguese manager feels has helped the player.
Last season, during the January transfer window, the arrival of Fernando Torres from Liverpool urged then manager Carlo Ancelotti to send Sturridge on a loan move. The idea was to get more first team experience for the former England under-21 international.
He seemed to do really well at the club, scoring 8 goals in 12 Premier League appearances, which earned him a place in Villas-Boas’ squad this season.
Villas-Boas said in an interview:
“Every player evolves after a confident year like he had at Bolton when he was scoring goals week in and week out.
And that's why we thought he had the qualities to be part of the Chelsea squad.”
There have been rumours suggesting that the England national team manager Fabio Capello is eyeing Sturridge for a place in the squad. When asked about the speculation, Villas-Boas revealed that while Sturridge had not been called up for the England national
team yet, he was not too concerned with the player’s international career as long as it did not interfere with his club performance.
He revealed:
“I think at the moment he is focused on competing for his place and bidding for the titles we want to win.”
The young striker was asked about his time at the Reebok Stadium and he revealed he was extremely grateful to Bolton Wanderers boss Owen Coyle. Sturridge has undoubtedly improved as a player and a finisher while with the Trotters and credit Coyle’s belief
in him for his improvement. The English striker was full of praise for the Scottish manager, whose training methods seem to get the best out of his players.
Sturridge said while speaking to reporters:
“I enjoyed my time at Bolton and I have a lot of love for the players and a lot of love for the manager especially, because he gave me the opportunities to showcase what I can do and I don't think I would be in the position I am in now without going
to Bolton and without the manager there showing faith in me.”