Former Liverpool forward Emile Heskey thinks Daniel Sturridge is England’s best striker in terms of natural talent and reckons our no.15 should lead the line at the upcoming Euros.
Sturridge is one of five forwards selected by Roy Hodgson, alongside Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney – although the latter is expected to play from deeper.
Due to their goalscoring form in the Premier League the season just gone, Kane and Vardy are ahead of Sturridge in the pecking order, although Heskey – with 62 caps to his name – thinks the Liverpool man would be no.1 if it wasn’t for injuries.
“Sturridge is just totally different to anyone, technically he’s very, very good, he’s got so much skill and he’s one of those players you just enjoy watching,” he told Squawka.
“He’s world-class, everyone knows that it’s just the injuries which isn’t his fault. Players get injured and he’s shown that he’s capable of coming back strongly.
“People are always going to question everything you do and everything you say so he’s been able to show he can respond to that.
“He has to show his form on the pitch and what he’s capable of, no one is really questioning what he can do.”
There was a moment when it looked like Sturridge wouldn’t even get in the England squad, but the 26-year-old rightly made the 23 in the end.
He only came on as a sub during England’s final warmup game v Portugal last night though, which suggests he won’t be starting against Russia in just over a week’s time.
Providing he starts pre-season with Liverpool in full health, we’re honestly not too fussed!