OFFICIAL: Sturridge secures Blues deal

[Alee. 182]

Great stuff

[TrueChelseaBlue 105]

Can't blame him wanting to leave City for Chelsea

[BlueLion. 21,491]

He wore the number 18 in training today, suggesting that will be his squad number next season.

[Badboy 1,526]

He wore the number 18 in training today, suggesting that will be his squad number next season.

I think if we cant develope this lad into at least as good as defoe or andy cole we can just take a shit.

[TrueChelseaBlue 105]

hes gonna be great

[5354 204]

hmm maybe he could have switched with Zhirkov

Anyway, I hope hes gonna develop well under Chelsea.

[Term-X 7,891]

He wore the number 18 in training today, suggesting that will be his squad number next season.

zhirkov wears the number 18 for cska & russia.

Edited July 7, 2009 by Terminator X

[EskWeston 696]

Was good to see Sturridge in action in Chelsea gear! I think he can be a great player, but most interesting in the short term is how he is going to do this season. Hopefully he can have a good pre season and show the ability he has and will get the chances he needs.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

zhirkov wears the number 18 for cska & russia.

First come, first served

[Term-X 7,891]

maybe..

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Daniel Sturridge, our teenage signing of the summer, has a clear reason for selecting a new club over Manchester City's potential for the next stage of his career.

The 19-year-old agreed a four-year deal with Chelsea last week having reached the end of his contract at City, and the decision was all about what his new employers could offer straight away.

'My motivation [for moving] was to play in the Champions League,' he explained at Cobham, midway between Thursday's two training sessions.

'I am a young player but I am very ambitious and I want to push myself to the highest level and play with the best players in the world. I believe that I can achieve big things here at Chelsea.

'But I am going to be very patient,' he qualifies, 'because I know there are world class players here and I am not going to get upset if I am not playing because it is very long season. There are going to be a lot of games and hopefully as the season goes on there are going to be opportunities so I can show the fans what abilities I have.

'I am not saying that Man City haven't got ambitions for the Champions League, or for any competition, but Chelsea is a fresh start for me and I believe that coming here will make me a better player.

'Man City is the past and Chelsea is the future for me.'

Sturridge will bring a youthful face to the squad's pool of centre-forwards, which, apart from occasional appearances by Franco Di Santo, was dominated last season by thirtysomethings Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

'I trained with Anelka when I was 15 at Man City,' the new arrival recalls. 'I looked up to him as a young boy and the same with Drogba. I saw him when he was playing in France and he has fantastic ability. They will both make me become better players.

'I will become a man working with the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard, Drogba and Anelka. They are going to push me on.

'Also the manager has dealt with big players in the past. He has had a lot of world class players at AC Milan - Kaká, Pato - and I believe he can make me achieve huge things.'

For an ambitious player who has junior international status, the huge achievements he targets have to included full international recognition.

'Any player playing for a big club will believe they can push themselves if they show what they are all about on the football field. They will believe they can push themselves to get into the England squad,' are Sturridge's current thoughts on the subject.

'I am a young player and hopefully by coming here I can get an opportunity to get into the full England squad.'

From the official website.

[Milan 17,835]

I can't wait to see him in Chelsea shirt. I'm really happy we have signed this English starlet and hopefully he will become a huge striker at the Bridge.

[Kez 2,727]

Same he's an exciting signing, hopefully he will get the chances to show what he can do

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

I like his attitude. He knows he's not going to be playing every week and is willing to knuckle down and learn from those around him.

Respect to the lad.

[millzy_chelsea_fan 4]

he wore number 23 today

[Rambo 1,729]

I want his name on the away shirt.

[Term-X 7,891]

yea i suppose he may choose the number 23 for Michael Jordan

[warnie_666 1,081]

This player has grown on me. He actually took a pay cut to come to Chelsea. This should be a lesson enough for the likes of Tevez, Barry and the likes who go to Man City, knowing they wont be playin Champions Leage. And, something our Captain can learn from. Dont be lured by money.....