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Daniel Sturridge defends Chelsea's experienced players & claims lack of respect shown towards the likes of John Terry is 'ridiculous'
The young striker has leapt to the defence of his team-mates, claiming the Blues skipper, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are still "the heart of the team"
13 Nov 2011 13:56:00
By Danny Hart
Getty Images
Daniel Sturridge has defended his experienced Chelsea team-mates after they received criticism for the club's recent run of poor results.
The Blues lost successive matches against QPR and Arsenal in the Premier League towards the end of October, and despite returning to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers before the international break, Andre Villas-Boas' side now sit nine points behind league leaders Manchester City.
Sturridge, who has scored five goals in 11 appearances since cementing his place in the Chelsea first-team this season, believes the likes of John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are still important players for the Stamford Bridge club.
"The disrespect I've seen towards the likes of JT [John Terry] and others is ridiculous. When times get hard, these are the sort of players who step up to the plate," Sturridge said, according to the Daily Star Sunday.
"It's not just the younger players people should be looking at, thinking they're the exciting ones.
"Ashley Cole, JT, Lamps, Didier - these are the players which keep the team going. They are the heart of the team.
"They have been here a lot longer than I have, or any of the younger guys coming through have. They're the ones who are paving the way for us. I can only look up to them right now.
"The younger players wouldn't be able to perform when faced with adversity - because we're not used to it. It's a big change for us.
"But the older players have been through it. To have those players around the club makes your job so much easier."
The Blues lost successive matches against QPR and Arsenal in the Premier League towards the end of October, and despite returning to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers before the international break, Andre Villas-Boas' side now sit nine points behind league leaders Manchester City.
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Sturridge, who has scored five goals in 11 appearances since cementing his place in the Chelsea first-team this season, believes the likes of John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are still important players for the Stamford Bridge club.
"The disrespect I've seen towards the likes of JT [John Terry] and others is ridiculous. When times get hard, these are the sort of players who step up to the plate," Sturridge said, according to the Daily Star Sunday.
"It's not just the younger players people should be looking at, thinking they're the exciting ones.
"Ashley Cole, JT, Lamps, Didier - these are the players which keep the team going. They are the heart of the team.
"They have been here a lot longer than I have, or any of the younger guys coming through have. They're the ones who are paving the way for us. I can only look up to them right now.
"The younger players wouldn't be able to perform when faced with adversity - because we're not used to it. It's a big change for us.
"But the older players have been through it. To have those players around the club makes your job so much easier."
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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