Chelsea’s Sturridge Feels he is Ready to Replace Drogba, Torres and Rooney - Report

Chelsea's young forward, Daniel Sturridge, who has outscored all of the more senior players at the club with the exception of Frank Lampard, feels he should play more instead of big-name players like Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres because he believes he can help the club win some silverware this season, according to a report in The Sun.

The 22-year-old also feels his attitude is his strength despite many critics telling him otherwise.

"I am young and free-thinking with new ideas and a new positivity. I am an attacking player. I am young and fresh and I want to prove myself. I am someone who is trying to champion a new way of playing - in my team, in my national team and in my career," The Sun quoted Sturridge as saying.

"You only have one football career and in 10 years' time I don't want to look back and be depressed because I didn't achieve my targets. So I believe I can do it," he added.

Apart from the Premier League, Sturridge also believes he is also ready to replace Manchester United star striker Wayne Rooney in the national team, for the 2012 European Championships. Rooney is suspended for the country's opening two games.

"Wayne Rooney is obviously a world-class player, everyone knows that. But the one thing that's always driven me on is that desire to succeed, to be the best I can be. So I would love the opportunity," he explained.

Sturridge was voted Man of the Match during England's friendly against Holland despite only coming on as a substitute in the first half and then leaving early after picking up an injury.

"I just didn't believe him and it wasn't until I was leaving the stadium and was asked to do an interview that I realised it was true. Obviously, I was very pleased. They were my first serious minutes as an England player and I had done well at Wembley in front of so many great fans. That's a dream for every player," said Sturridge according to The Sun.

Sturridge, who was very disappointed at being benched during Chelsea's 1-2 loss to Manchester City, insists he has nothing personal against Torres and Drogba. He claims he just wants to play in the centre-forward position for Chelsea.

"That's the position I will always pick myself, centre-forward. But whatever position the manager picks me in I'm happy and right now, for the team, I'm in the wide position. I will always give 100 per cent and work as hard as I can to get the success we all want," he added.