Aston Villa and Crystal Palace should jump at the chance to bring Daniel Sturridge back to the Premier League, Clinton Morrison tells talkSPORT (12 August, 12.30pm).
If it wasn’t for a relentless series of injuries which have dogged his career since that remarkable spell at Liverpool, Sturridge would surely be at the peak of his powers right now.
But, at the age of 30, one of the most naturally gifted footballers to emerge on English shores since the turn of the century now finds himself without a club after an ill-fated spell at Trabzonspor in Turkey.
Sturridge used an interview with Sky this week to remind many a top-flight club of his desire to make a Premier League return this summer.
And, given that Villa and Palace scored just 41 and 31 top-flight goals respectively in 2019/20, Morrison believes the shot-shy duo should offer the former Chelsea starlet one more chance in the big time.
“You never lose your talent and Daniel Sturridge is a talent. He’s had a lot of injuries over the years but, when he was flying, he was one of the best strikers around,” says Morrison, a former Crystal Palace striker himself.
“Give Sturridge half a chance and he’ll put it in the back of the net. He was lethal.
“I do believe someone in the Premier League, like an Aston Villa or a Crystal Palace, he could easily go to one of those clubs and do a job.
“He is a super-talented player.”
Seven years ago, when Brenden Rodgers’ Liverpool were steamrollering all before them in search of a long-awaited top-flight title, Sturridge appeared to be on a one-way path to the very top of the European game.
Alongside a young Luis Suarez, he scored 21 largely spectacular goals in just 29 games during that stellar 2013/14 season.
But, in the last six seasons, he has mustered just 23 more, with injuries taking their toll on his body and his reputation.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
