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Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge is still expected to jump ship and join Capital One Cup Champions Liverpool. Sturridge was expected to undergo a medical with Liverpool last Sunday, but it never materialized, and both clubs are now remaining quiet on the transfer.
A fee of £12 million has been agreed for the England international, and reports from the Daily Mail say the Blues are gathering £1.5 million in private expenses to ensure the 23 year old completes his move to Anfield. Sturridge is expected to pen a three and a half year deal with the Reds, but Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers insisted the deal is yet to be complete.
“Nothing will be complete until we’ve signed a player. Once we do, I’ll have no problem in speaking about who we’ve signed. We’re confident we can get some business done early in January which will really help the squad. Until that happens, there is nothing really to add.”
Striking options are limited for Brendan Rogers, who loaned out Andy Carroll to West Ham and suffered a blow when Fabio Borini was ruled out for three months, after breaking his foot in the clash with Manchester United in October.
Liverpool were in for the former Manchester man back in the summer, but the deal fell through when Sturridge declined a loan, insisting he wanted a permanent move. Sturridge still has 18 months left on his Chelsea contract, but the Blues seem content to get Sturridge’s £60,000 a week wages off their bill.
The 2011/12 campaign was Sturridge’s break through season. On the back of an impressive loan spell with Bolton, where he scored eight times in twelve appearances, Sturridge cemented himself in then manager Andre Villas Boas’ side, and scored 13 goals and assisted seven times in 43 games. However, Sturridge’s demands of playing through the middle, and then a dip in form, saw him lose his place in the starting eleven, and make a mere 12 appearances in all competitions this season.
If ever there was a time for Sturridge to lead the line for Chelsea, it would be now. With Didier Drogba gone and Torres still not yet fully convincing, I think staying at Chelsea would be a better option.
Chelsea expect to challenge for honors each season and offer Champions League football; two major things Liverpool cannot guarantee.
