'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Three Lions march into Brazil this summer with all the aspirations of restoring their pride to its former glory. Placed in a group; so ferocious that even one bad game can lead them to an early exit. Always been criticized for their lack-luster play, Hodgson & co., definitely would like to silence their critics this summer in Brazil. No doubt the fans must be resting their hopes on Wazza, well given his abilities they aren’t wrong either. But the talisman the Lions are bearing with them isn’t Rooney but Sturridge, one of the vital weapons of the English armory.
The Scouse astonished everyone with his remarkable performance this season, scoring 21 goals in 29 matches. Along with Suarez, they formed the deadliest pair of the Premier League netting 52 goals. He has got the ability to score goals out of nowhere, this ability of his was reflected in his first goal against Peru, where he dribbled the ball from the right to the center and unleashed a venomous shot into the top left corner giving England a 1-0 lead.
Even Stevie admitted the fact that England would need Sturridge’s magic if they want to clear the group stage. The midfielder said: “I’ve seen it all season with Daniel; I think he got big confidence with the manager putting him in his favorite position. That goal will do wonders for him. If we’re to progress and do well in this World Cup we need Daniel and Wayne (Rooney) and the other forwards to produce magical moments and that was certainly one of them.”
But why everyone is hailing Sturridge as England’s talisman and not the Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, well the answer to this argument lies in the fact that Sturridge is far more deadly to the opposition near the 20 yard box than Wazza, who will mostly play behind Sturridge and from time to time will need to drop down to support the midfield. So the momentous task of scoring goals would mostly lie upon Sturridge’s shoulder.
Given the veracity of the facts, it is more likely that Hodgson would play a 4-2-3-1 formation rather than a 4-3-3, ensuring he can include both Rooney and Sturridge on the starting lineup. Even Linekar praised the Merseysider, telling the media: "One thing should be pretty permanent - and that's that Sturridge plays up front, in the middle. He gives us different options. He gives us a threat behind the opposition defense, which I think is really important and that's something Wayne Rooney doesn't do so frequently.”
Looking back at his stupendous season at Anfield, he scored 21 times and providing 7 assists alongside. He is more deadly on left channel, from where he netted 9 out of his 21 strikes. His strength lies in his ability to provide key passes, dribbling and finishing. He is equally dangerous from outside the box; his strike against Peru was an indicator of it.
He likes to play long balls, often playing the ball off the ground, shooting from long distance. His biggest weakness is winning aerial duels but his trickery with the ball and finishing largely compensates for that. With Rooney or Welbeck on his back, Sterling and Chamberlain down the wings they form quite a frightening attack for any defense.
Zico, one of the greatest in his era praised the lad saying:” Daniel Sturridge impressed me with his composure and movement. His season for Liverpool showed he can also score. To reach the 20-goal mark in a tough league like the Premiership is not easy and this could be good news for England. It’s also interesting that he will have some Liverpool team-mates around him, especially Steven Gerrard. Providing there are no injuries, Sturridge could be a difficult player for the opposition to handle. And in a difficult group England will need all the help they can get.”
There is no doubt that it would be through Sturridge, England will like to seek its revenge for the agony inflicted upon them by the Italians in 2012.Its going to be a eventful summer for the young lad. Here the some stats of his year at the Merseyside:
Games played: 29
Goals: 21
Total shots: 99
Goals from outside the box: 4
Assists: 7
Pass accuracy: 79.3%
