With Brendan Rodgers on the hunt
for attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window, it seems he has
set his sights on Daniel Sturridge. Several reliable sources have linked the
Chelsea player with a twelve-million pound move to Liverpool in the winter
transfer window. But is that a wise transfer for Rodgers?
The thought of Liverpool acquiring
a young, talented, England international may seem appealing at first, but there
are many reasons the transfer won’t work out. Sturridge is the wrong fit for
Rodgers’ system, he is too expensive, and his quality is not convincing.
Rodger's team is undeniably in need
of striking power, but the addition of Sturridge would be a mistake. One of the
requirements to play in Rodgers’ team is work ethic. All players must
contribute to the team’s defensive high pressing style.
Last season, in Sturridge’s limited
opportunities deployed on the wings for Chelsea, he did not display the work
ethic required for Rodgers’ high pressing. Instead he was guilty of leaving his
fullback woefully exposed and without cover.
However, with the player being very
public on his insistence to be played through the center, he may escape the chance
to be a liability on the wings. But it seems odd that Rodgers would be
interested in a player who is strongly reminiscent of Fabio Borini; not quite
sure he is striker, not quite sure he is a winger.
It is hard to envision a clear
purpose of signing the Chelsea attacker. There is difficultly speculating on
the manager’s thoughts because there are so many options available with
Sturridge. And that may just be the point. The player is versatile.
Perhaps if Sturridge arrives at
Anfield, Rodgers will change his formation to suit two strikers (as we have
seen before in games). Sturridge could work as a foil for Suarez; offering
increased finishing ability without sacrificing the pace in the team. If the
manager decides not to alter his preferred formation, he could conceivably just
be so confident in his debating abilities as to convince Sturridge to continue
playing on the wings.
The final possibility Sturridge
presents, is the role of Suarez's back-up. It is often said that top sides need
four sufficient strikers (think of both teams from Manchester). But those teams
play with two up front. Liverpool in contrast, only has room for one lone
striker in the starting eleven. Certainly the conventional four strikers required
in the squad are not necessary.
Undoubtedly other options are
definitely needed to supplement Suarez and Borini as recognized strikers in the
squad, but acknowledging this is a club with limited funds is important. Twelve
million pounds is an astronomical fee for a player not guaranteed a start for a
team with a tight budget. If the intention is to play him through the center,
there must be more affordable options.
The most troubling aspect I have
resolving to myself, is the quality of the player himself. Disregarding his
inclination of selfish play, he cannot even get into the current Chelsea team. Torres
hasn’t scored in almost eleven hours of play! And Sturridge can’t surpass him
in the team sheet. Yes, I know Roman Abramovich has an obsession with playing
Torres (just ask Di Matteo), but if Sturridge had the quality to score
consistently, he would be getting minutes.
The transfer of Sturridge is
ultimately Brendan Rodgers’ decision. He must use the winter transfer window to
seek bargain deals as he continues to shape and improve the squad. He would be
wise to learn from previous Liverpool managers who have spent big in the winter
on English strikers. Maybe the mooted fee does not rival the folly of the
incredible sum required for the transfer of Andy Carroll, but the transfer
would be just as big a mistake.
In the end, if Liverpool go forward with the transfer, I do
hope Daniel Sturridge proves me wrong.
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