Liverpool fans who may be getting excited about the widespread speculation linking Daniel Sturridge to Anfield will be disappointed to hear that it is actually Spurs who are leading the chase for his signature.
The 22 year old, who scored 13 goals last term and was often Chelsea’s most dependable attacking threat, has become increasingly marginalised at the Bridge since Roberto Di Matteo took the helm and is frustrated at the club’s reluctance to extend his contract that currently runs out in 2014.
With the expensive recruitment of Eden Hazard further blocking his path to a first team spot and Chelsea looking to strengthen their forward options more before the season starts the England international’s days in south west London look numbered and bids in the region of £15m have discreetly been encouraged.
Whilst Liverpool are indeed interested the Cutter understands from a prominent source that it is Spurs who have thus far been the most proactive in their pursuit and what is more they hold several aces up their sleeve one of which is fast becoming the most open secret in football.
Firstly the pacy striker-turned-winger is settled in the capital and doesn’t wish to return north anytime soon; Sturridge enjoys the London lifestyle and since things have turned sour at Chelsea has been hoping for genuine interest from either Tottenham or Arsenal above all others.
Secondly, the Rodger’s Revolution at Anfield is viewed as a risky proposition that could flourish or implode whereas Spurs have by far the better recent track record at optimising the potential of their signings with higher league finishes as proof. Indeed it is precisely this onus on development that has resulted in them targeting the youngster despite Spurs currently being managerless. Chairman Daniel Levy and his board long ago implemented a transfer policy based on age and potential rather than buying purely established talent and the explosive Sturridge – who was once courted by Barcelona when he was just 15 – fits the criteria perfectly.
The open secret is of course the expected arrival of Andre Villas-Boas into the White Hart Lane dug-out and even if the Portuguese gaffer hasn’t already been sounded out about the potential purchase he would surely be delighted to be reunited with his brief former prodigy.
It was Villas-Boas who showed enormous faith in Sturridge during his ill-fated spell at Chelsea – often selecting him ahead of the misfiring Torres – and last October directly compared the striker to Porto’s £100m man Hulk.
Utter rubbish. ”prominant source”…who’s that? Your milkman? If Spurs are signing players without a manager, it just shows how that club is run, and that managers have little power at white hart lane.
Of course, Spurs may not be signing players without a manager. There’s a suggestion that AVB has already got the job but he can’t be announced by the club until July (for contractual reasons). If that’s the case, then he’s bound to have discussed transfer targets with Levy who would set the wheels in motion.
Just a theory of course. And it could be completely wrong. But it would explain any transfer activity in the apparent absence of a manager.
Of course we all know the Chelsea chairman would never sign a player …………… oh wait he did/has/will do
Or it shows that we know who our new manager is, or maybe we have a director of football advising us… I like Sturridge and think he would be a good signing for us but boy is he a selfish player…
Ahhh but you not thinking properly, Redknapps cards were marked a long time ago. We have already found our man but no decision will come until 01.07.12 so any and all,players we sign between now and then will probably have already been discussed with said manager. Reading between the lines if we are seriously in for Sturridge then I would assume that it is AVB as its says in the article, AVB was the one to give Sturridge his chance.
Chelski signed 2 players this season before they confirmed there new manager so whats the difference ?
Does J stand for jealous per chance?
Well at least this is an honest lie.
Are you a politician? Great remark!
sign him up levi great player! And young!
…and british! fed up of the carlos kickaballs aren’t you?
Read between the lines people. Just because a manager hasn’t been named, doesn’t mean one hasn’t been chosen. Perhaps the new man is prohibited from making his appointment official until next month but is having a say in recruiting one of AVB’s old favourites from Chelski?
and what makes this a lie? great bit of business and if AVB has signed a precontract but not announcing it until july 1st (when hes allowed to) then this makes perfect sense.. sturridge is a player he admired and AVB could just be telling levy who to go out and get.. stop being so pessimistic.
something we lacked last season is direct runs pushing defenders back, long shots and creating chances infront of goal.. sturridge will create that along with sigurdsson who is reported to be done deal.. you can argue bale done that but after players knew to double up on him, push him inside onto the right foot and not play high lines or offside traps but instead deeper defending he became lost.. i think its a bright future levy is painting just be patient
Just seen that Daniel Sturridge’s middle name is Andre! lol the irony… xD
what like at chelski! Nothing wrong with an owner buying good players WITHOUT a manager just shows he wants to add to the squad! They join the team not the manager
Agreed J; utter rubbish – first, maybe he has settled in London, are you privy to his thoughts? second, Spurs only vaulted the league thanks to Redknapp (they were relegation fodder with pretty much the same squad under Martin Jol) and being managerless would be viewed as the riskier. Third, AVB played him as a right sided wing/attack and he wants lone CF and has made that well known. rubbish articles for advertising clicks
Marc this is not true at all Jol has Spurs up at 5th and pushing for CL places it was Ramos who failed and that was not an indiction of the club or it’s players nor of Rednapp’s abilities simply of his inability to overcome his language difficulties.
First, chelsea West London, spurs north London… Both London so yes he’s settled still. Second, redknapp ‘vaulted’ the league when we massively underachieved.. I mean hey people were talking about arsenal in relegation battle at Christmas last year and look where they finished, redknapp did get us up there but he failed to capitalize on a seriously failed chelsea side and a nervy arsenal who both underperformed last season.. Martin jol got us 5th for 2 seasons with worse players. Bale and modders were here before harry came and he signed utter rubbish in his time here.. take a look for yourself. And thirdly, yes we also need a striker.. he has versatility to play on wing when needed because if you know spurs you know Lennon is one dimensional and injury prone.. so can be striker or winger. Help with your questions at all?
Your second point is factually incorrect – under Jol we achieved two 5th place finishes (would’ve been 4th if not for the dodgy lasagne!). It was under Ramos that we flirted with the relegation zone for half a season. The squad is certainly not pretty much the same either, with only 7 players remaining from the Jol era of which only 3 would be in a fully fit starting line up.
they should sell him off we need classy and establish player 2 defend our cl and epl.hulk gotze lukas
Levy is bang on. There aren’t many managers able to manage properly. They get in strife and clutch at straws costing the club too much money. Consider Levy’s signings v rednapps. Modric,bale,VDV, walker..v saha, parker and nelson. before that rednapp bought keane, crouch, defoe and chimbonda all back to WHL..? Spurs have been on the up since Levy introduced this system.
Spurs buying players without a manager…..sounds like a normal tranfer window at Chelsea…!
I here Chelsea’s next signing is going to be a parked bus to play in there new formation of bore bore two…!
In response to ‘J’, if managerless Spurs can sign up premium quality players, (Sturridge being one of 2, so far), especially if L/pool thought they were done deals, it shows that Spurs are going places and, if the manager decides to exit, Spurs won’t inplode. This shows commitment by Levy to push higher than ever before!
sounds like avb will be coming if he is hopefully we can get kalou with him by far chelskis best young attackers cant believe kalou was released hope we go for him to coy, hopefully we go for rossi as well
Harry recruited very few of the players recently DL has done most of the buying and having seen Harry’s habits of recommending players that are cheap, old and throwaway I am glad to see his back. Whoever comes in will find a good squad and a war chest to buy preferred players to tweak the squad toward their playing style.
Would be a great signing but not going to happen unfortunately.
J it has been long known that at Spurs it is the Chairman that buys the players and not the manager. Yes the Manager is consulted but he is not the driving force. How many times do people have to see the likes of Redknapp tell reporters that “Daniel takes care of that” before this sinks in?
If you need further proof just look at the Van Der Vaart deal. The first Harry knew of it was when Levy called him to let him know he had a “surprise” for him.
“If Spurs are signing players without a manager, ”
Have to love that comment. Anyone would think that Abramovitch had nothing to do with any Chelea transfers and THFC have already signed one player and if you don’t know then don’t reply.
J – It has been widely reported that Spurs want a coach/manager who will manage the players he is given just as they do in continental Europe. Levy and a select group decide who to buy etc. No doubt things would be discussed with the manager but he won’t have the final say.
Sell sturidge please we dont need him
Sturidge is a twat and we do not want him at the Lane, far better options out there.
The first piece of sense in this whole thread. Sturridge is a lot worse than he actually thinks he is. A very greedy player. Sure he has some talent but he is in danger of wasting it.
Ideal for spurs then!
Sorry Guys, but a player like Sturridge won’t go to non CL playing side.
With Drogba gone, its gonna be Sturridge chance to prove to the European Champions, and he wont miss that chance, i tell you!
Is vertonghen that good ? Everyone is raving about him but i’ve only see him play twice he was ok but dont think we should pay more than eight mil for him
All this praise for Levy, How long in charge ? How many trophies ?
lets aim for cups and championships,