Should Manchester City sign free agent striker Daniel Sturridge?

With Manchester City’s continued injury crisis up top, former City player Daniel Sturridge could be a short-term solution.

Following Manchester City’s commanding victory against Marseille in the UEFA Champions League, City manager Pep Guardiola revealed that Sergio Agüero and Gabriel Jesus are still sidelined with their respective injuries.

City were able to get away with not having a recognized striker on the pitch in this match, as well as the game against Porto, but the Sky Blues have struggled on other occasions. During City’s English Premier League fixtures against Leeds United and West Ham United, City were held to a 1-1 draw on both occasions. Despite dominating possession, chances created, and shots on goal, the Sky Blues were unable to convert their chances. City were wasteful in front of goal, and the lack of a true striker cost them a potential victory in both matches.

Manchester City are also preparing for some important fixtures. In November 2020, City will take on Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in the EPL, and they will face Olympiakos in the Champions League’s doubleheader. The absence of a center forward in these fixtures could hinder City’s ability to compete in both the EPL and the Champions League. If City were to lose against Liverpool and Tottenham, this would particularly derail their chances of winning the 2020/21 EPL title.

City seem to be in a rut, but a former Manchester City player could help the Sky Blues get out of this scenario. This is none other than Daniel Sturridge.

Sturridge began his senior career in Manchester, where he was most prominent during the 2008/09 season. The English forward struggled to break into the City side, and in the summer of 2009 Sturridge signed for Chelsea. While with the London club, Sturridge began to make his mark, where he won the 2009/10 EPL title; two FA Cups; and the UEFA Champions League.

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Sturridge finally cemented himself as a recognized striker during his time with Liverpool. Over the span of seven seasons, Sturridge scored 67 goals in 160 appearances across all competitions. Domestically, he helped Liverpool challenge for the EPL title for the first time in several years, where they finished runners-up in the 2013/14 EPL season. Liverpool also finished as runners-up in the 2015/16 EFL Cup final. In terms of international football, Sturridge helped his side to the UEFA Europa League final in 2015/16, where they finished runners-up. Finally, he was part of Liverpool’s squad when they won the Champions League during the 2018/19 season. While Sturridge and his team did not win all of these titles, he certainly helped Liverpool become a very competitive and dangerous team.

A common criticism of Sturridge is that he is injury prone, which is one of the reasons why he sought employment outside of England after the 2018/19 season. He is also 31 years of age, and he has not played competitive football in nearly half a year.

Nonetheless, Sturridge is a quality player without a contract. He is a known finisher in front of goal. He has helped his teams challenge for significant silverware, and he has won several prominent trophies while playing for different English clubs.

With an upcoming congested schedule in November and December between the EPL, the EFL “Carabao Cup”, and the Champions League, Sturridge would be well worth the gamble. He could aid City during their current injury crisis, and he could help them with squad rotation once the Sky Blues hit the hectic holiday fixture period. Why not take the chance?

Should Manchester City sign Daniel Sturridge?

By Mark Temnycky | Oct 30, 2020

With Manchester City’s continued injury crisis up top, former City player Daniel Sturridge could be a short-term solution.

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