My job is to provide goals and assists '“ Sturridge

England striker Daniel Sturridge has railed against suggestions he is not a team player, insisting he has a responsibility to play high up the field and hunt goals.
Daniel Sturridge, pictured after scoring Englands first goal in Fridays 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Scotland, has been criticised for not working hard enough for the team but says he does not worry about the unfair opinion' (Picture: Mike Egerton/PA).Daniel Sturridge, pictured after scoring Englands first goal in Fridays 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Scotland, has been criticised for not working hard enough for the team but says he does not worry about the unfair opinion' (Picture: Mike Egerton/PA).
Daniel Sturridge, pictured after scoring Englands first goal in Fridays 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Scotland, has been criticised for not working hard enough for the team but says he does not worry about the unfair opinion' (Picture: Mike Egerton/PA).

Sturridge’s raw ability is not in question, but he has attracted criticism throughout his career about his work-rate and willingness to dig deep for the side.

He has started all three games since Gareth Southgate’s arrival as interim England manager, scoring in wins over Malta and Scotland but receiving modest notices for his efforts in the stalemate against Slovenia.

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp appears to have resolved to treat Sturridge as a luxury item rather than a key starter and he is yet to open his Premier League account for the season.

With England’s prestige friendly against Spain looming tomorrow, the 27-year-old has defended his approach to matches.

Asked about the perception that he does not offer enough around the park, Sturridge said: “I don’t worry about that, it’s an unfair opinion.

“I feel that I contribute to the team with assists and goals. It doesn’t really matter what people say to me.”

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He also believes the team benefit tactically from his single-minded approach to leading the line and feels that chasing the ball too closely would be a dereliction of duty.

“It’s about positional awareness at the end of the day,” he explained.

“My job is to score and my job is to create for the team and coming into the midfield positions is maybe too deep.

“I feel that if I’m coming short and I’m trying to get involved in the game then there’s no one up front in the forward positions.

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“It’s important to have a focal point of the team. If I drop deep and come on the ball, do skills and take people on there’s no one in the centre-forward position.

“That’s where I need to be, in between the lines, threatening the centre-halves, pushing them back and creating space for the other people.

“Sometimes I have to drop in there to maybe give them a different picture to create more problems but, again, it’s about being in the box. That is where I need to be.”

Of all the players to have worked under Southgate so far, Sturridge has arguably fared the best against expectations.

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He might not have been in the starting XI for the past three games had Harry Kane been fit, but has taken his chance, bringing his international tally to eight with his deft headed efforts against Malta and Scotland at Wembley.

Few, then, have as much vested interest in seeing the 46-year-old promoted from interim to permanent boss after the Spain game.

“He’s got a lot of faith in me and I’m trying to repay him as best I can by performing well in the games,” said Sturridge.

“It’s important for every player, for the manager to have confidence in them. So it’s great.

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“Goals are what I enjoy doing, but it’s the team that matters. As long as we win games and you’re part of that result you move forward and you have confidence.

“But it’s great to contribute with goals because all strikers want to score.”

Southgate, meanwhile, has called on the Football Association to decide whether they want him to carry on as England manager within a month.

After tomorrow evening’s friendly against Spain, Southgate’s interim command will officially be over and discussions will begin over whether or not to hand him the reins on a permanent basis.

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A steering committee of FA chairman Greg Clarke, technical director Dan Ashworth, chief executive Martin Glenn and League Managers’ Association chairman Howard Wilkinson will be in charge of the decision.

They will be mindful of the need to consider alternatives, but the overwhelming favourite is close at hand and, having been reticent about publicly stating his candidacy, Southgate is becoming more vocal since tightening his grip with a 3-0 win over Scotland.

It is clear, at last, that he has a taste for the top job and would happily accept it.

“It will be important for me to know what I’m doing after the middle of November,” he said.

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“We’ve got a European Under-21 Championship to prepare for and the seniors have got their next round of qualifiers (in March).

“Of course everybody is going to want to know, I guess, by the end of November, middle of December, where everything is heading so we can decide who is responsible for which parts of the organisation’s work.

“That’s not my decision in the end. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve done so far.

“I’m immensely proud to have led my country for three games, with another on Tuesday, and to be involved in an England-Scotland game, which is as high pressure as they come. It’s been a brilliant experience and very, very special.”

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Southgate has undoubtedly made a favourable impression since picking up the baton in October, helping to settle choppy waters following Sam Allardyce’s humiliating 67-day reign.

The former Middlesbrough boss has brought a cool head, a tangible dose of intellectual rigour and – in his handling of Wayne Rooney – a hint of bravery.

On the pitch England have been imperfect but efficient and seven points from nine, with three clean sheets and top spot in World Cup qualifying is very much job done.

A relative lack of top-level experience is perhaps the major stumbling block, but he does not appear overwhelmed by the step up.