Sturridge Scheming To Split From Stamford Bridge?

Reports suggest Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge could quit Stamford Bridge over his England squad snub.

The reports suggest Sturridge blames Chelsea and the then interim but now permanent Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo for his exclusion from England’s Euro 2012 squad.

Sturridge was a prominent performer under Andre Villas-Boas but following his departure found appearances hard to come by.

Di Matteo preferred Drogba, Torres and Kalou ahead of Sturridge who scored 13 goals for the club last season. It is thought Di Matteo was unkeen on Sturridge’s lack of defensive responsibility especially when it came to the big games.

Many Chelsea fans also lost faith in Sturridge as he became increasingly selfish preferring to shot or take players on rather than pass. Couple this with his seemingly relaxed attitude to defending – one of the most notable examples being Andre Santos’ goal at Stamford Bridge in the 5-3 defeat to Arsenal – started to get the Chelsea faithful and I’m sure some of his team mates on his back.

Internet rumours also suggested Di Matteo sat Sturridge down for an hour at training and made him watch tapes of himself whilst explaining where he was going wrong before explaining that if his attitude towards team play and defending did not improve he would not play, although these rumours were unconfirmed.

Sturridge’s current Chelsea contract expires in 2014 and the club have been reluctant to extend his deal, worth £65,000-a-week.

Reports claim Sturridge will state a move away is needed to ‘revive’ his England career, which is funny because I didn’t know he had one in the first place. Sturridge was left out of the squad in favour of players like Milner and Downing because they do the things Sturridge will not, work as part of a team and defend when needed. Sturridge has no one to blame but himself for missing out.

The signing of Hazard and Marin, and reported interest in Hulk along with the permanent appointment of Di Matteo will push Sturridge further down the pecking order and I see an exit as likely.

Arsenal, former club Man City, Liverpool and Tottenham have all been touted as possible destinations.

Sturridge could be used by Chelsea as a makeweight as part of a deal for Theo Walcott but quite honestly I can’t see him walking into the Arsenal team. He would certainly struggle to get into the Man City side, look at Adam Johnson, he’s a better player than Sturridge but can barely get a sniff.

Liverpool would be a desirable option if he wants more regular football as competition is more limitted than at the other clubs but Tottenham would be another difficult team to break into especially if he wanted to dislodge Bale or Lennon, but they may see him as a centre forward – which he constantly claims he is – as a replacement for Adebayor.

Either way I don’t see too many people missing Sturridge if he leaves the Bridge and unless his attitude changes he will never realise his potential and Chelsea will surely get the better end of any deal.