Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge runs rings around his team-mates in training, according to former assistant manager Ray Wilkins. Sturridge has been tipped for the very top in a glowing reference from Wilkins, who claimed he has witnessed the youngster "rip the Chelsea senior players to pieces" on the training ground. The 21-year-old started for England in their European Under-21 Championship opener against Spain yesterday, with strike partner Danny Welbeck on target. Wilkins predicts the Chelsea forward will stay at Stamford Bridge this summer on the back of his hugely successful loan spell at Bolton Wanderers. He scored eight goals in 12 games last season during his stint at the Reebok Stadium, but still faces a fight to hold down a regular place in the Blues' first-team following the £50 million arrival of Fernando Torres in January. But Wilkins maintains Sturridge will make the grade for Chelsea. He told talkSPORT's All Sports show: "He's an enormously talented guy, he's extremely quick and I've seen him rip the Chelsea senior players to pieces in training but that has obviously got to be translated on to the Saturday afternoon. "Unfortunately at Chelsea it didn't quite happen on the Saturday's for Daniel, but going to Bolton where there was slightly less pressure he flourished and played some excellent football. "He's still only a young man. I honestly believe Daniel can be anything Daniel wants to be if he's prepared to give the blast. "I think he could be an exceptional talent."
Well I watched England U21's get a football lesson from Spain last night, so Daniel didn't get much ball time We play Ukraine later in the week - maybe Daniel will get more chances in this one I hope we give him a fair shot next season (unless we buy huge up front) & then we'll be resigned to losing him (potential or not)
