Red-hot Sturridge keeps Blues on the boil

WITH all the fuss surrounding Fernando Torres, and the will-he-won’t-he recover his form debate, Daniel Sturridge has stolen in on the blindside to become Chelsea’s most important striker.

Just as he did in the red-hot cauldron at White Hart Lane on Thursday, when he left Benoit Assou-Ekotto for dead and got past Ledley King to convert Ashley Cole’s cross, Sturridge has become a master of nipping in from the wing and nicking important goals — and points — for his side.

That Chelsea are still in the title race while controversy rages around their manager, captain and most expensive players, has a lot to do with the vital goals Sturridge keeps scoring.

While Torres has laboured fruitlessly in front of goal since his £50m move from Liverpool last January, with only three goals, Sturridge has scored 18 league goals in 2011, leaving him behind only Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Demba Ba.

Eight of them were scored in 12 games on loan at Bolton in the second half of last season, but his nine this term for Chelsea have helped the Blues recover from a dip in form to come back into contention.

Andre Villas-Boas certainly believes Chelsea can make up ground on leaders Manchester City if they win their next two games, against Fulham on St Stephen’s Day and then again at home to Aston Villa.

“If we get six points from our next two home fixtures who knows what will happen? I don’t see it as two points lost against Tottenham, who are on a great run at White Hart Lane. We are still in the title race.”

And Sturridge agreed. “It was important to get a result and we’re happy with a point against good opposition. With how things are in the Premier League, nobody is out of the race until the final ball is kicked in the last game. Everybody knows that.”

But he adds: “I hate speculating about this because it’s going to be the same thing again and again, teams drop points in this period, Manchester United, Man City, Tottenham and let’s not forget Arsenal. It’s going to be a tight Premier League race all the way down to the final game and I’m looking forward to it — hopefully I can play a big part in the team lifting the league and I do believe we can do that.”

Bold talk, but why not from a 22-year-old with the world at his feet and the exuberance and confidence of youth? While Torres toils and Didier Drogba shows sometimes that he is 33 now, Sturridge is coming into his own. He has seen off Nicolas Anelka on the right side of attack, to the extent that the Frenchman who looked a fixture in that position this time last year is off to China next week.

Having come through the England youth and U21 ranks, Sturridge made his full international debut as a substitute against Sweden last month, and is a strong contender for Euro 2012 next summer.

But he knows he still has a lot to learn, and admitted he could have scored more against Spurs, lashing one shot over the bar, hitting another wide and being outrun by Ledley King, he of the dodgy knees.

“I know I can improve a lot more than where I am now and hopefully I will be able to show that. I’ll be coming away from this game disappointed I didn’t score more because I feel I could have taken the first chance and I’ll be working hard to improve my game.”

Sturridge should get plenty of opportunities on St Stephen’s Day if Fulham’s defenders are in the same mood as they were in losing 5-0 to Manchester United on Wednesday, when Martin Jol’s men were presenting gifts like Santa in his grotto.

Chelsea are fully aware the Whites could, however, come out like wounded tigers especially as it is a local derby.

“Fulham were unlucky against Manchester United and I’m not going to be thinking it will be easy for us,” he added.

“Derbies are always difficult and they will want to bounce back and show what they’re about. The manager will be telling them they have to do that against us for their fans, and we’re not going to be taking them lightly.”