AVB on Sturridge: "He creates unpredictability."

I noticed an interview published before the Bolton game and bookmarked it to refer back to today and especially now after yesterdays result, it is even more appropriate to discuss it now.

AVB was speaking of Danny Sturridge and what he offers Chelsea and his team and has compared him to "Hulk" of Porto. We all know AVB's side last season in Portugal played with a similar formation and style as we are now. The main striker through the middle in Falcao and another striker asked to play a different role down the right hand side in Hulk.

AVB is keen to utilise Sturridge in the same way and can see similar traits in the two players. He said:

"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, He creates unpredictability.

He has been performing well for the team. He is an extremely quick player, and he has technique at pace. You get plenty of pacy players, but what is important is that he arrives with the ball, he can control it and do something with it. That is what he offers.

We have been using Daniel in a different position, Fernando has been playing in a striking position and we've been using Daniel on the right, coming inside. So, normally, they are not competing for the same position and I spoke with Daniel about it in the beginning when I brought him over. Daniel is extremely happy in that position as well. I think it favours his natural and technical abilities and his pace. So he is competing for right- and left-winger positions.

(Source)
Sturridge is a very different player now to the one that left us for Bolton back in January. You can see the confidence he has now and of course a big part of that is from Owen Coyle believing in him and allowing him to express himself on the pitch. Credit to AVB as it seems he has literally done exactly the same thing.

I cannot understand how Sturridge isn't even considered for the England squad ahead of the likes of Johnson and others who can't get a start for their club sides at the moment.

I still think later on in his career, Sturridge will become world class through the middle playing as the central striker. His natural ability in addition to the blistering pace he has will become a very powerful weapon for years to come as a main striker.

However, for now he has taken his chance playing on the right with the right attitude, with his manager and players backing and is playing well. I still think at times he is a little bit rough around the edges and he needs to gain confidence in using his right foot however, that will all come in time. With playing regular first team football here at Chelsea, he will continue to develop and has the potential to be one of the most exciting young players we have.

Sturridge just needs to keep his head down, keeping working hard and have the right attitude towards training and playing the game and if he does that, he will become one of this best.

We are beginning to see why AVB wanted to keep him and I hope it continues!

KTBFFH

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