Where Does Daniel Sturridge Land?
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We now return to Daniel Sturridge, already in progress….
When last we left our hero he was having his contract terminated by Trabzonspor following a successful appeal of a two-week ban for a breach of gambling rules. How is this possible? What fickle flick of fate flipped the forward’s footballing future? The FA of course, deeming the two-week punishment an “unduly lenient” sanction, petitioned the regulatory commission, which found that the original ban “misapplied The FA’s Rules in relation to the use of inside information.” Charming, I’m sure.
Daniel has been one of the most enigmatic, prolific, dynamic, confounding talents. Did you know he’s 37? He scored 21 goals in just 15 games for the Turkish side in his age 29 season, only to see his loan cut short. It was his fourth professional season with 20 goals. Remarkable. Did you know every inch of that is a lie?
The 30-year-old England international has posted some eye-popping returns, including a memorable eight goals in only 980’ (11 starts) for Liverpool back in 2015/16. But that’s five years ago. During the peak of his career the once lethal striker has struggled to find form, fitness and his finishing edge. He, like this whole column, gets and F for production. His 2015-16 season was not his final one in Liverpool red, it’s just the last one anyone can remember. 2016-17: three goals in 769’ making twice as many substitute appearances as starts; 2017-18: two goals in 431’ before a loan to WBA where he made six appearances, just two starts, and didn’t score; 2018-19 two goals and an assist in 500’ but only four starts to 14 substitute appearances, his final Liverpool season.
Of course, he hasn’t posted multiple 20-goal seasons either. The Liverpool duo of Luis Suarez (31 goals) and Sturridge (21) finished first and second in the League scoring charts as Brendan Rodgers’ LFC finished second in the table the only time he achieved the feat, or even came close. As we aggregate the numbers his peak seasons look farther and farther away, but there is no question of the ability. Unquestionably, Sturridge benefited from playing in a side with Gerrard (13 assists), Suarez and company but there are opportunities available for him to be a productive fantasy asset in 2020-21.
So where can he land that will stick? (don’t say with Brendan Rodgers at Leicester, don’t say with Brendan Rodgers at Leicester, don’t say with Br) I think there’s a decent chance he could land at Leicester with Brendan Rodgers. And I hate every inch of that sentence. The Foxes fade down the stretch was unquestionably down to bad luck with injuries, some suspensiony stuff, and just a hellish run-in in an unholy compressed schedule. Sturridge arriving at the King Power Stadium means fewer opportunities for Ayoze Perez, further competition for Kelechi Iheanacho and stiff competition for starts for Daniel himself. But it makes sense; he has the skill set Leicester need and a proven record of scoring hatfulls in limited minutes. Smaller hats, to be sure, beanies and the like. But they were full right up to their tiny little brim.
Better for fantasy managers would be either of these two spots:
No. 1 with a bullet is Sheffield United. Did you know the Blades were 15th in the EPL in expected goals this season. That’s awful. And it’s remarkable they sustained hopes of Europe for as long as they did, particularly when you consider they under-performed that already paltry number. Chris Wilder’s side scored 39 goals. THIRTY FUCKING NINE. The 45.81 xG, had they only just managed to hit that number, would have given them a substantial chance at the six points they needed to clinch sixth place and the Europa League. Replacing David McGoldrick with literally any other human on earth would have been an improvement, but hand Sturridge the opportunities David missed and he’ll score better than the zero goals McNoGoalsrick managed from opportunities equally nearly eight (8!) expected goals. Partnering Daniel with the younger, hungrier Lys Mousset and Ollie McBurnie is one small move Sheffield United could make to shift their offense from reverse back into neutral.
The second club has a long and storied history of being a second club: Everton. I do not believe there is a chance in heck, gosh no, that Sturridge ends up on the other side of Stanley Park, but I wanted to take a cheap shot.
Aston Villa is the other club where I could see him landing and having fantasy success. The Villans narrowly missed being relegated and I guarantee the looming threat of relegation this season doesn’t have the owners leaping to spend heaps of money in transfer fees. They’ll be smart (if they’re very smart they’ve renewed interest in Emi Buendia) and find upgrades on a budget. This one fits the bill. The team’s leading scorer was Jack Grealish (8), the leading striker was Wesley (5) who got injured and only played 1790’. In 1790’ Sturridge scores, conservatively, a hundred billion goals.
With the way modern football is played, it makes sense for either or both of Sheffield United and Aston Villa to be making inquiries as Sturridge has the ability to be both a leading No. 10 and a second-fiddle poacher; two skill sets both of these team notably lack. I prefer Sheffield United because the McBurnie/Mousset tandum will work to create chances for Sturridge and his presence as a poacher should provide that duo with a bit more space to operate. If he lands with Villa I’ll want to make sure they add another attacking starter in midfield to provide the chances he’ll need to shine.
Check back here after he finds his next club and we’ll have definite ranks on offer.
David McGoaldrought was his nickname in the championship