Daniel Sturridge has denied reports that he’s demanding a new and improved contract at Chelsea, and says that he’s enjoying playing for the club.
The forward has become a first team regular at Stamford Bridge following a successful loan spell at Bolton last season and has forced his way into the England reckoning after scoring 11 goals for the Blues so far this season.
Sturridge was quoted in the Evening Standard:
“I love playing for Chelsea. Some of the stuff I’ve read about me asking for a contract is not true.
“I’ve not spoken to the club to ask for a new contract, or told them I’m unhappy. I’m just doing a job, working hard.
“I’m not worrying about my contract.”
Sturridge has also given his manager Andre Villas-Boas a vote of confidence and has praised the under-fire coach for helping him develop as a player and has urged the team to work hard to improve results, especially as there’s still so much to play for:
“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.
“It’s helped me so much because previously I’ve not had a chance to play week in and week out, except when I was on loan at Bolton.
“To play at one of the best clubs in the world and start every week is a dream come true.”
He added:
“I just think everyone has to knuckle down and do their job, and focus on winning games for Chelsea.
“Everybody talks. It’s just time to go out and do a job on the football field. That’s where our talking is done.
“It’s pointless talking off the field. It’s not going to change anything.
“A successful season now would be winning the FA Cup or the Champions League. If we could do one or the other it would be great.
“I think we’ve got to get some sort of silverware, and to get in the top four, to qualify for next season’s Champions League.”
It’s good to see Sturridge speak openly about his current situation at the club as he’s usually portrayed as an impatient young lad with an attitude problem. Sure, he has an arrogance about him and needs to get his head up more to look for team-mates rather than go alone all the time, but he offers a spark that can make a difference and I’d like to see him given a chance as a centre-forward in the near future.
Sturridge picked up a knock whilst playing for the Three Lions against the Netherlands on Wednesday evening but should be available for Chelsea’s clash against West Brom on Saturday.
