The one that got away

[Duncan Shaw]

It was his Dad and Uncle that told him to take the money and join Chelsea too when he was becoming a regular at a very different Man City. I really wonder about some of the people around footballers. If I was in their position, I would be more interested in seeing my son become a first team regular. Knowing that if they did that, the money would take care of itself. Sturridge could have just as easily become another Luke Moore at Chelsea and ultimately made much less money over the course of his career.

That four year deal at Chelsea would have netted him over £12m. It's very easy to think that somebody else's son should wave goodbye to financial security for the rest of his life, it's probably different when it's your own.

He could have stayed at Man City and got a career ending injury six months later. How good would that advice have looked then?

Its not like Man City would have been offering a pittance. The likelihood was always that it was far more likely that he wouldn't break into Chelsea's first team as a regular than he would suffer a career ending injury. I just hate seeing young talented players trying to run before they can walk and being given what in most circumstances would be poor career advice.

And in this case it was perfectly sound career advice.

And let's say he didn't break into Chelsea's first team. Which he didn't.

Then he goes somewhere else and earns a huge amount of money at another club. Which he did.

But probably about £8m richer than had he not followed that bad advice.

And then became England's main man up front!!

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

 

[Nelly]

There is something very likeable about Sturridge, even playing for completely unlikeable teams. Good luck to him.

[ez]

Didn't Doug used to make sure the local media got fed rumours of big name signings at season ticket renewal time ?

Under Doug it was always rumours. I remember him saying Villa could compete with anyone in the transfer market. We didn't though. It always grated on me that clubs like Everton and Spurs could make big name signings and we didn't.

[dave.woodhall]

What we had off to an art form under Doug was making a bid that was just less than the selling club would settle for, or just after they'd agreed a deal with someone else.

[claretandbeer]

A former Villa scout ,played a few times for Wolves and whose son had played for Villa at U21 level,told me that he had recommended  a young Joleon Lescott to the club.

[danrjfrost]

I'm amazed that no one has mentioned how close we were to signing arguably one of the Premier Leagues best ever players Frank Lampard... http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/2211333/villa-confirm-lampard-talks

[Mellin]

Deal to Chelsea was practically done when we made our bid. Think that one was Deadly playing games with us.

[cheltenhamlion]

If memory serves, Lampard had already agreed terms by the time we tabled a bid of about 3m less than had been agreed between Chelsea and West Ham.

[SirSteveUK]

A former Villa scout ,played a few times for Wolves and whose son had played for Villa at U21 level,told me that he had recommended  a young Joleon Lescott to the club.

Not surprising - as his brother (or cousin?) Aaron played for us

[LeeB]

A former Villa scout ,played a few times for Wolves and whose son had played for Villa at U21 level,told me that he had recommended  a young Joleon Lescott to the club.

Not surprising - as his brother (or cousin?) Aaron played for us

His older brother Aaron never broke through either, and that may have influenced young Joleon to go somewhere shit first, like Wolves.

[KevinGage]

Joleon was close to joining us in the summer of 2005 0r 2006. 

But we phucked about and Everton nipped in.

[Percy McCarthy]

There is something very likeable about Sturridge, even playing for completely unlikeable teams. Good luck to him.

Agreed.

[Villa in Denmark]

There is something very likeable about Sturridge, even playing for completely unlikeable teams. Good luck to him.

Agreed.

I think it's because he comes across as quite grounded and appreciative of what he's got.
Compare and contrast with Ashley "nearly crashed my car" Cole.

Also seems like a generally decent bloke.
Compare and contrast with John "arrogant arsehole" Terry.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Dean Sturridge Junior scoring for our U13s.

http://instagram.com/p/t5EulFnNXZ/?modal=true

Let's hope that this Sturridge doesn't get away