Sturridge: Less talk, more trophies March 2, 2012

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge has called on his team-mates to start doing their talking on rather than off the pitch as he set his sights on FA Cup and Champions League glory.


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Daniel Sturridge has made 26 appearances for Chelsea this season in all competitions


Sturridge, who won his second England cap against Holland on Wednesday night, is calling for a positive response from the entire squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at West Brom. Meanwhile, the future of Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas has been the subject of much speculation while several players have been reported to be in disagreement with his tactics and policies, but the 22-year-old is adamant the team must focus on the task at hand.

"I just think everyone has to knuckle down and do their job, and focus on winning games for Chelsea," Sturridge said. "Everybody talks. It's just time to go out and do a job on the football field. That's where our talking is done.

"It doesn't matter what we say off the field. We have to do our talking on the field. It's pointless talking off the field. It's not going to change anything.

"A successful season now would be winning the FA Cup or the Champions League. If we could do one or the other it would be great. I think we've got to get some sort of silverware, and to get in the top four, to qualify for next season's Champions League. We've got to push on from where we are now until the end of the season and try to get up the table."

Sturridge is quick to praise Villas-Boas in helping with his development as a player and rubbishes speculation that he may look to leave Stamford Bridge. He also believes he will benefit from his spell out wide even though he sees his long-term position as a central striker.

"The manager has helped me a lot," he said. "He's playing me a lot so I can't complain. I've not had a Chelsea manager do that for me before.

"It's helped me so much because previously I've not had a chance to play week in and week out, except when I was on loan at Bolton. To play at one of the best clubs in the world and start every week is a dream come true.

"I love playing for Chelsea. Some of the stuff I've read about me asking for a contract is not true. I've not spoken to the club to ask for a new contract, or told them I'm unhappy. I'm just doing a job. Working hard. I'm not worrying about my contract. It's not true. I'm committed to Chelsea."

Sturridge added: "I've always seen myself as a striker. I've played that position since I was six or seven years old. But in the meantime I have to make do with playing out wide. I have to alter my game a little bit. There's a lot more work to be done.

"I have to keep chasing back and chasing full-backs. It's completely different to playing up front. But I think it's gone well so far and hopefully I can continue improving as a player. When I do go back to playing as a centre-forward I'll be a better player for it."