Tottenham or Liverpool: where should Daniel Sturridge move next?
Daniel Sturridge faces an anxious wait to see where his future lies before the summer transfer window slams shut. Both Tottenham and Liverpool are rumoured to be circling Stamford Bridge should the former Man City striker decide to continue his career elsewhere.
Four reasons why he should move across London
Regular first-team football
There is a better chance of playing in his preferred striker role at White Hart Lane, rather than out wide as he has done at Chelsea. Up front, Fernando Torres is now the first choice striker, so chances will be limited, whereas Spurs are crying out for a goal scoring forward.
AVB thinks he's like Hulk
Sturridge was a regular in Andre Villas-Boas' Chelsea sides and the manager liked that he was comfortable both as a creator and as a scorer and even compared him to the Brazil and Porto hitman: “I am not sure how his career will evolve, he has natural ability to play on the right flank, he has the opportunity to offer me the characteristics I had with Hulk when I was at Porto.”
Sturridge loved playing under the Portugeezer
In March, the 22-year-old said: “The manager has helped me a lot. He's playing me a lot so I can't complain. I've not had a Chelsea manager do that for me before.”
He'd be in good company
He'll be with a group of young and talented Brits like Gareth Bale, Kyle Walker and Great Britain team-mate Steven Caulker. In addition, he is known for his pace, dribbling and shooting power, meaning Sturridge would fit in well with a team filled with players of similar ability and capable of scoring goals from a variety of positions on the pitch.
Four reason he should head back to the north west
Man management
Brendan Rodgers is a much better man manager than AVB and looks after his young players having managed the Chelsea youth team in 2004, before leading his young Swansea charges to promotion to the Premier League after stints at Watford and Reading. At Liverpool, his emphasis has been on youth, with the emergence of 17-year-old Raheem Sterling making his Premier League debut against Man City. Joe Allen, 22, and 21-year-old Fabio Borini have also been added.
Youth and creativity
In Raheem Sterling, Sturridge would be linking up with the most exciting young player in the league and the most creative, in forward Luis Suarez. The goals would surely follow.
Low expectations
At Anfield, expectations will be slightly lower than at White Hart Lane. Last season, Tottenham finished in the top four of the Premier League, while Liverpool laboured to eighth and the Reds will consider a top six finish as progress. On top of that, the club have not had a real goal scorer since the departure of Fernando Torres, all of which means Sturridge will be under less immediate pressure and will have more chance to find his game on Merseyside.
England prospects
Joining Liverpool would enable Sturridge to link up with Three Lions skipper Steven Gerrard, enabling him to build a rapport with the star midfielder that could benefit him at international level.
Where do you think Sturridge should go: Tottenham or Liverpool?