In spite of an eye-catching loan spell at the Reebok with Bolton during the second half of last season, it seems Daniel Sturridge is likely to be farmed out on loan once again by Chelsea. Speaking of the player’s future over the last couple of days, Andre Villas-Boas has admitted uncertainty over the likelihood of Sturridge starring at Stamford Bridge in the upcoming season, saying:
“This is one of the decisions we have to take. Daniel is a very, very interesting player with a tremendous future and is highly regarded by myself. I have 15 days in Asia to make the best decision and I need those four games to continue to assess.”
With Owen Coyle keen to bring him back to the Reebok and Newcastle United also joining in the chase, Sturridge will have no shortage of suitors over the next few weeks. His performances helped revitalise a stuttering Bolton side in the second half of the season. Although they flew out of the blocks in the early stages -with the front pairing of Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander grabbing 14 goals between them in the club’s first fourteen games- the goals dried up and the Trotters started to struggle. The duo scored just 2 goals between them in the next ten games and Sturridge’s arrival during the winter transfer window gave the club a timely boost, with 8 goals in just 11 appearances for the club.
An average of 3.6 Shots per game sees Sturridge in the top ten Premier League forwards when it comes to goal attempts per match and here we look at his performances in comparison to the other major goal threats over the 2010/11 campaign.
Passing
While Sturridge made a lowly 18.8 passes per game, much of this is down to his role within the Bolton team. Paired in a front two with Kevin Davies as Johan Elmander dropped back into midfield, his focus was on finding the net. Davies made 43.7 passes per game and is the focal point for Bolton’s attacks- this freed up Sturridge to stay further forward, and although he’s less involved in the build-up, Owen Coyle recognised just how to play to his strengths.
Rooney (42.3), Suarez (35.9) and Tevez (35.4) all have a tendency to drop deep, linking with their midfield and pulling markers out of position, an indication of their creative talents. Subsequently, Rooney led the way for key passes, with 2.1, while Didier Drogba’s importance to Chelsea is shown with 2 key passes per game. Sturridge’s 1.3 key passes is still more than acceptable, given that he only averaged an aforementioned 18.8 passes. Despite his creativity, Sturridge picked up no assists, with Bolton’s other players failing to find their feet in front of goal.
Work Rate & Aerial Threat
Just like the passing stats, the following figures highlight Coyle’s use of Sturridge within the starting XI. Diminutive in stature, his ability in the air is limited, winning just 17% of aerial duels, but Bolton’s use of Davies’ heading ability sees him win 58%, allowing him to anticipate and feed off the knock downs his strike partner wins.
Carlos Tevez has a similar aerial success rate - 14% - but his impressive work rate is shown by 1 tackle and 0.8 interceptions per game - with a combined 0.2 tackles and interceptions, Sturridge’s defensive duties could certainly be improved upon. Again, though, it’s a sign of the freedom Coyle allows him; with Davies making 1.6 tackles and 0.8 interceptions, the need for Sturridge to make challenges is considerably lessened.
The impressive work rate of Demba Ba hints that he could work in tandem with Sturridge at Newcastle in a similar vein to Davies at Bolton. Ba won 43% of his aerial duels during his time at West Ham and also had the best defensive stats here, with a total of 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game.
With Ba also managing 2.9 shots per game, a loan move for Sturridge to St James Park would see the two spearhead Newacastle‘s attack. The stats certainly suggest they’d make a deadly duo, providing Alan Pardew follows the lead of Owen Coyle and frees Sturridge up to focus on attacking duties.
Dribbling and Shooting
The move to Bolton opened many people’s eyes to the potential of Sturridge - with such limited game time at Chelsea he was perhaps not known for his skill on the ball and ability to beat a man, but Sturridge registered 1.8 successful dribbles per game. Only Suarez, with 3.2, and Tevez (2) exceeded this level. The stats here of Van Persie (0.7) and Rooney (0.9) show just what sort of performances Sturridge was producing within a direct Bolton team.
It was as a goal threat that Sturridge truly excelled, though. Joint-top for shots per game (3.6) with Luis Suarez, he showed just what he is capable of, given plenty of starts. Both players arrived mid-season but while Suarez is recognised as a world class talent, Sturridge has never had the chance to shine in the Premier League before now and Bolton secured his short-term acquisition without too much fuss. His tally leaves far more established top-flight stars such as Van Persie (3.4), Drogba (3) and Tevez (2.8) trailing in his wake.
Sturridge’s goal returns per game are superior to Suarez, scoring 8 goals in 11 games compared to Suarez’s 4 goals in 13 games, an indication of his clinical finishing. Van Persie’s 18 goals in 25 appearances shows a remarkable consistency and Arsenal fans will be praying he stays injury-free next season.
Carroll’s 11 goals in 19 games shows just what Newcastle missed upon his leaving, though Demba Ba’s 7 goals in 12 games shows what sort of goal threat he will bring to the club next season. Indeed, given that Kevin Davies struggled to find the net in the second half of last season, a move to St James’ Park to play alongside Ba may even prove more successful than last season’s Reebok stint for Sturridge. It’s clear Sturridge excels playing in a 4-4-2 alongside a target man and Ba fits the bill perfectly; Toon Army fans should be in for a treat if Alan Pardew can usurp Owen Coyle and bring the Chelsea man to Tyneside.
