Keep it in the family

[Badboy 1,526]

New recruit Daniel Sturridge has been talking more about the family influences on his flourishing football career.

The 19-year-old forward met his new manager and team-mates this week as pre-season kicked off, having decided to swap Manchester City's Eastlands for Stamford Bridge.

For Sturridge, there is football in the blood. Uncles Simon and Dean both forged successful careers in the 1980s and 90s, while his father Michael was a professional with Birmingham City, but failed to make any first team appearances.

'My dad has been a huge person in my game, he trained me when I was very young,' he began. 'Unfortunately he didn't get to play a first team game when he was at Birmingham, but him showing me the abilities he had drove me on.

'It drives you on to want to be one of the greats, you see your dad who hasn't achieved such great things and you want to make your dad proud and push yourself on to be the best.

'It hurts me because I have watched videos of my dad and I know how good he was. It's very emotional for me because he could have been a very good player but didn't get to do that. I used to watch Pelé and Maradona videos because of my dad. He was the main person in my life, along with my mum, that has driven me on.

'Along with my uncles they have all instilled in me that you can't take things for granted and you have to be the best, so you have to put the hours in to achieve that.'

Sturridge's own targets are high. And he believes being at Chelsea will help him develop into one of the best talents around.

'For me it's all about doing things in the football game, I am not motivated by money. I am only motivated by doing things in the game, winning trophies and becoming a great player in football history,' he explained.

'I am trying to become a great player and as I've said before coming to Chelsea will hopefully make me achieve that. I believe I can become a great player of my era, I am 19 and looking to achieve big things in the game.'

Chelsea fc

[Zohaib 0]

Brought a tear to my eye.. :huh:

[chrismada9 1,948]

'For me it's all about doing things in the football game, I am not motivated by money. I am only motivated by doing things in the game, winning trophies and becoming a great player in football history,' he explained.

John Terry...... TAKE NOTE!!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

We don't know Terry's motives for leaving, if any exist. No need to criticise him for it. Yet.

But I agree, Sturridge is a player who actually has a brain. He knows he isn't going to be first choice, and that in itself offers some motivation for him to improve as a footballer.

[Kez 2,727]

John Terry...... TAKE NOTE!!

He doesn't need to

[Term-X 7,891]

good attitude to have

i'm almost looking forward to drogba in the african cup of nations and anelka's injury's

[ZanSnake 1,211]

good attitude to have

i'm almost looking forward to drogba in the african cup of nations and anelka's injury's

Anelka's injured?

Or can you tell the future?

[Alee. 182]

I'd rather have Anelka and Sturridge playing together then having Anelka injured