Having spent the last four months on loan now could be the right time for Daniel Sturridge to break into the first team.
On the 31st January this year the ex-City youngster joined Bolton Wanderers on loan, during the short spell he impressed scoring eight goals in 12 goals. Unfortunately it came to an disappointing end when he was dismissed for two yellow cards during the last game of the season.
Over the last two seasons Sturridge has only scored once in 26 league starts for the Blues but has had more goal scoring success in the FA Cup – In the 2009/2010 season he managed to score four times in four games as he helped his team lift the trophy.
His international experience has seen him represent England at all levels except full and is part of the U21 squad going to Denmark.
Sturridge joined the Blues from Manchester City where he came through the youth set-up before moving to Stamford Bridge, unhappy at limited first-team opportunities the striker saw his future away from Manchester.
The fee was decided by a tribunal, the initial fee for the transfer was £3.5million, then there were further payment for appearances agreed, as well as a further £1 million fee should he represent the national team as well as a 15% sell-on fee.
Sturridge will be looking to get a lot more action next season, having enjoyed a run of first-team football at Bolton – especially as he played such a starring role for the Trotters.
Having shown that Sturridge has the ability and can be relied on, now is the time to give him his chance.
Scott Balaam
Twitter @theshed11