A Name to Remember: Daniel Sturridge

By: Daryl | August 25th, 2008

Eighteen year old striker Daniel Sturridge caught the eye coming off the Man City bench last week against Aston Villa, instantly looking like Citeh’s most dangerous player. This week Sturridge delivered his first goal of the season (above) by smashing the ball into the roof of the net against West Ham. Get in.

But that wasn’t Sturridge’s first goal against Premier League opposition. This was:

OK, it was only a kickabout. And it was only David James in goal. But here’s footage of a young Daniel Sturridge playing with his under 12s high school team against Aston Villa back in 2001. Sturridge is the number 9 who scores what looks like a great flick up and volley:

A goal that was clearly just practice for his first goal in a Man City shirt, against Sheffield United in the 2007/8 FA Cup Fourth Round. Pretty similar, no?

As a reminder of just how young Sturridge still is, here’s footage of him scoring two great goals for Man City in the FA Youth Cup against Bristol City last season. That’s the FA Youth Cup. You know, for kids.

Sturridge is the nephew of both Simon Sturridge (ex Birmingham City and Stoke striker) and Dean Sturridge (ex-Derby Couny and Wolves striker). Dean was a better player than Simon, and Daniel appears to be better than Dean, so clearly the Sturridge family are honing their strikers with each generation. If Daniel ever has a nephew he’ll likely be the new Pele.

Actually this lad seems to be the complete package: pace, strength, skills, height (he’s 6′2″) and a fierce shot. And also that certain special ability to make something happen. In some ways he reminds me of a young Stan Collymore. You know, before all the bad stuff.

Here’s an interview with the lad, featuring some game footage. Nice to know he does his homework:

With England seemingly short of half-decent strikers, it’s not impossible that Fabio Capello will have to think about calling Sturridge up to the senior England team sooner rather than later. And even if that doesn’t happen this season, then Daniel Sturridge is still a name to remember.