Sturridge to fight for place at Chelski.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_7050520,00.html

Daniel Sturridge does not want to leave Chelsea and is determined to prove he can be a first-team star for manager Andre Villas-Boas.

The England Under 21 striker spent the second half of last season on loan at Bolton and scored eight league goals in 12 appearances for Owen Coyle's club.

Coyle made it clear he would like to keep Sturridge, but the former Manchester City player was determined to return to Stamford Bridge.

The 21-year-old's decision came despite the tough competition for places at Chelsea, where £50million man Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka are expected to figure in the plans of Villas-Boas.

Sturridge has yet to discuss in detail his role with his new boss, but the forward told Sky Sports News when asked if he sees himself as a Chelsea player: "Never any doubt.

"It doesn't matter whether you are a star or not a star, you have to show the manager what you are capable of doing. Every season is a new season."

"I'm here training in pre-season and looking forward to the start of the new season, where I can show everybody what I am capable of doing."

Sturridge is adamant he is happy to fight for a place and demonstrate his goalscoring ability to Villas-Boas.

He said: "It is the same in every team around the world. Every striker has got to fight for their place and it is no different here."

Sturridge added: "It is a thing every striker has got to be prepared to do. There are no guarantees in football at any club.

"It doesn't matter whether you are a star or not a star, you have to show the manager what you are capable of doing. Every season is a new season.

"The past is the past, in my opinion, so everyone has got to fight for their place."

 

But..but...

Surely Torres, Drogba, Anelka and Falcao (I assume) will be ahead of him

 

I think Falcao signed a new contract at Porto.

 

It really may not be up to him; if the club know he won't be seeing much of the pitch this year, they'll want to loan him out to be sure he doesn't stagnate

 

Were never going to get him, I think he is staying put. I truly believe the most realistic and talented strikers we have been linked with, that also are good value are the two Bangura's. Excellent goalscoring records no matter where either of them have played (albeit at a lesser standard) and they have a great understanding with each other and also I believe they could both easily link up with Ba. £7mill for both of them would see us sitting pretty in the striking stakes and not too much of an outlay!!!

 

He doesn't have to leave Chelsea .. quite happy for him to stay on their books and we'll have a season long loan where he can showcase his goalscoring ability