Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has blasted Chelsea for a lack of opportunities during his time at Stamford Bridge.
The forward left Stamford Bridge in January 2013 after failing to nail down a regular starting spot at the club, and his career has blossomed since moving to Anfield.
Sturridge plundered 21 Premier League goals last term to finish second behind teammate Luis Suarez in the scoring charts, and the 24-year-old has netted 36 goals in 49 appearances for the five-time European Cup winners.
Sturridge’s form was rewarded with a place in England’s 23-man World Cup squad, and the striker is expected to lead the line in Brazil.
Reflecting on his time at Chelsea to Liverpool’s official TV station, he claimed that he wasn’t afforded a fair shot up front for the Blues.
He said: “I didn’t get the opportunity, regardless of what people say. I’m a central striker and at Chelsea, I didn’t start a single game in the Premier League as a striker. It had improved my game [playing out wide], because I can use my right foot a lot more from playing right wing, and I do thank [Andre Villas-Boas].
“If I ever see him, I always thank him because he gave me a chance, and he was the only Chelsea manager who did that. We won trophies and it was a great time, but I left there and as I say, it was bittersweet.
“I wasn’t given a run of games, but if I had and I hadn’t done the business as a central striker, I’d have said ‘fair play’. But I’d get a game, I’d score two goals in the centre-forward position and then I’m on the bench for another four or five games. As a young player, there’s only so much you can take, before you think: ‘I’m not wanted here, I’m not loved here’”.
Despite Sturridge’s superlative form last season, he will have increased competition for places at Anfield next term following the £4 million capture of Rickie Lambert from Southampton on Monday.
Source: HITCsport