Sturridge reveals Chelsea motivation

July 09, 2009

Daniel Sturridge

FORMER City striker Daniel Sturridge has spoken about his move to Chelsea and revealed an ambition to win things and play in the Champions League was the reason behind the switch.

His fee has yet to be decided by a tribunal but there was no disguising Sturridge's confidence in his own ability when he was unveiled at the club's Cobham training ground.

The teenager was only too happy to spell out just why he opted to leave a club that is currently trying so hard to land Chelsea skipper John Terry.

City have already had one £30million bid for Terry rejected but there is speculation a fresh offer may be in the pipeline.

But the lack of Champions League football at Eastlands was the biggest factor in his decision.

"My main motivation was to play in the Champions League," said Sturridge. "I am very ambitious and want to push myself to the highest level and play with the best in the world. I believe I can achieve big things at Chelsea.

"I am very young and I will be very patient because there are world-class players here. I am not going to get too upset if I am not playing because I know it is a long season and a lot of games.

"I want to win as many trophies as I can. I am not saying Man City have not got ambitions for the Champions League or for any competition but the main thing for me was to come to Chelsea to better me as a player.

"I will become a man here. The likes of John Terry will push me on to become a better player.

"Manchester City are a completely different club to Chelsea. I have signed for Chelsea and City are in the past. Myself and Mark Hughes didn't have any talks about me leaving City.

"Hopefully as the season goes on I will get the opportunities and show the fans what abilities I have.

"Any player who is at a big club will believe they can push themselves to get into the England squad.

"Hopefully by coming here I can get an opportunity to get into the full England squad and push myself to be the best I can."

Having just left City, it was obvious that the subject of Terry's future would crop up during his media unveiling at the club's Cobham training ground.

But Sturridge added: "That's a matter for John and Chelsea to deal with. I am just looking to make an impact at the club."

What do you make of the comments? Have your say.

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AlexC83, Manchester (09/07/2009 at 16:12)

Oh dear, this isn't gonna go down well is it...

Harry Dowd's Broken Finger, Guildford (09/07/2009 at 16:15)

Good luck to him.

Mabalsa Ricci, Manchester (09/07/2009 at 16:16)

We'll give him a good ovation at the regional athetics arena when he comes back up.

Barca 2009 LMAO!!, Still on the floor laughing! (09/07/2009 at 16:20)

silly boy...

it'll be a case of small fish big pond for him and his career will now go backwards big time before he ends up either being loaned out or sold cheaply to a club like norwich or derby. then he'll see out his career going from championship club to championship club and rememberd as another 'he could of been great but ended up average' player..

BlueSkies Warrington, warrington (09/07/2009 at 16:23)

It will all end in tears (for him not us). How long do we give him at Chelsea? 12 months tops I reckon. He'll do well to make their bench - never mind play. A good dose of humility required by Mr.S methinks. Absolutely no loss whatsoever.

Bulman, Bolton, Gtr Manchester (09/07/2009 at 16:24)

I really do not know what planet the lad is on!!!!

He has been very poorly advised.

mancitypj, Denton (09/07/2009 at 16:26)

It was only a few months ago on MCFC TV that Sturridge said he wanted to stay at City for life!

BritBoyInFL, Florida (09/07/2009 at 16:27)

So, sitting in the reserves or on the bench is not an issue for him ? good, because he better get used to it. If you don't play, you can't reach the higher levels in the game.

This was about money, plain and simple, we didn't offer enough (In his mind), Chelsea were, as far as we know, the only club that did.

Lets bookmark this for two years from now and see how he's doing then. Any bets on Championship ?

Kent Blue, Kent (09/07/2009 at 16:27)

I'll be interested to hear what he says after a season sitting on the bench and playing in Carling Cup games. I know Drogba is banned for several games but I dont see Sturridge getting ahead of Kalou ,Malouda and Joe Cole in a hurry.He is a talented youngster but he and his backers clearly have some strange ideas.Bring on Tevez and Eto'o and a few of our other kids and we'll soon forget Sturridge.

Blue Cowboy, Dallas (09/07/2009 at 16:28)

"The likes of John Terry will push me on to become a better player."
The only difference Daniel my deluded friend is that John Terry came through the Chelsea youth team and developed his game with the club that gave him his big opportunity. I don't recall Terry demanding a massive wage increase before establishing himself in the first team. Good luck replacing Drogba and Anelka, you'll need it.

Peter Doherty. As good as it gets. (Debt free) , Levenshulme (09/07/2009 at 16:30)

Well, seems to have left for exactly what he can get here...... hilarious. LOL

RIP blurevival, Warrington (09/07/2009 at 16:30)

He's got a lot to prove, but will he get the opportunity at Chelski?

- Raziola -, Nottm (09/07/2009 at 16:30)

What a plonker - he could not have given a worse first interview.

1 - "I am very ambitious and want to push myself to the highest level and play with the best in the world." - like who????

2 - "I am very young and I will be very patient because there are world-class players here. I am not going to get too upset if I am not playing because I know it is a long season and a lot of games". Really???

3 - I will become a man here. The likes of John Terry will push me on to become a better player - but what if he's captaining city next season??

Dont want to tear any more of his comments apart but he is clearly deluded and being managed by some dim people!!

paulo jackson (09/07/2009 at 16:31)

no talk of wages then!!! in the words of a famous captain (you stupid boy) just ask swp and he is a better player than master sturridge will ever be!!!

cptpattern, Sunny Peel Hall, Wythenshawe (09/07/2009 at 16:31)

"Myself and Mark Hughes didn't have any talks about me leaving City" - (shakes head in disbelief....again).Dear me.

KiteSurfer Gal, Cheshire/Barcelona (09/07/2009 at 16:31)

He is only there to make up their Englsh quota on the bench for the CL.
Ancelotti didn't even know who he was when asked this week.
I don't wish him anything. I don't care what he says as his last interview I heard, he said he loved City and wanted to stay for the rest of his career. Now this. That type is soon forgotten. I hope this is the last we see of him on the City page.

mike pearson (09/07/2009 at 16:33)

If shaun wright phillips couldnt make it at chealsea, you've got no chance boy. You have got 'michael johnson syndrome' also know as an ego trip, your a promising tallent but thats it, good ridence to players like him, we need more of the stevie ireland attitude in our youngsters not the pre-madonas of sturridge. good luck getting in the team ahead of drogba, anelka, kalu and shevchenko if they cant move him on.your going to nee it, CTID

Batmanho, Robinhos big brother, Bat Cave, Brazil (09/07/2009 at 16:34)

Good luck and good riddance Danny boy, you are ill advised and immature. What makes you think, as good as you are, that you will get into the champions league with Chelski ahead of Drogba, Anelka etc. when you couldn't hold down a regular place at City? By the time you get to play in the CL, City will be there as well, and we all hope they will kick your sorry arses out of the competition.

CTID.

Chapman (09/07/2009 at 16:34)

Daniel: I think you have to be in the team to actually play Champions League football.

I was hoping you would tough it out at Manchester City and become a regular in the first team but you obviously don't have the desire.

When your peers such as Ireland,Johnson,Hart,Wiess,Onuoha and Richards are playing in Europe I'm sure you will blame the mis-management of your career at Manchester City on others.

Eduardo Anton (09/07/2009 at 16:34)

Good Luck and goodbye until the reserve games ! Have you opened a bank account in London Yet ?

Arthur Lee's Psychedelic Slacks, Ladbroke Grove (09/07/2009 at 16:35)

He'll be begging to come back in a few years - just like SWP did. Chelski are the past and City are the future.

What if, the okey cokey really is what it's all about?, Florida (09/07/2009 at 16:35)

this young man always a believer in his own hype, and truthfully I blame the youth academy for this attitude he has. The coaches, most especially Frankie Bunn played into it and fed the beast, even at 14 he was a rude ignorant ass, who relied on the family name. Good riddance I say.

Shaun, At My Desk (09/07/2009 at 16:35)

He'd already made his mind before he knew who the Chelsea manager was(or at least his advisors had).Did he not see what happened to SWP,Wayne Bridge,Glen Johnson,etc? All players who's carrers were far in advance of his? This is about money,not time on the pitch,it would only start to make sense if we were still borrowing money off Wardle with Pearce in charge.I expect to see him turning out for Hull,Stoke,Wolves etc in about five years time.Bad move,but good riddance.

Bluetobitz (09/07/2009 at 16:36)

awww well so he wants to play in the champs league , i say leave him to it he might get to play the meaningless last group game and a couple of 5 minute cameo roles,,, you could of had all that here and also been one of them so called "best players" yourself but now u will prolly rot away for the next 4 years before being shipped off to wigan so they can try and rescue your career ,

your reasoning behind leaving just wont cut much ice with city fans when you know quite well that we will have world class players and be playing in the champs league within 2 years,,, now if you would of come out and said ive always wanted to play for chelsea there my team we would of all wished you good luck,

True Blue Middlesbrough, middlesbrough (09/07/2009 at 16:39)

Liar,Liar pants on fire.

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