Player Focus - Daniel Sturridge vs Giuseppe Rossi

Career Stats

As you can see from the stats below both players have taken a little while to get into their stride both starting their professional careers in the North West at the two big Manchester clubs. Being a young player at a big club always comes with its problems as these two found first team opportunities very hard to come by.

Daniel Sturridge

Current Club - Liverpool FC
Age - 24
Position - Forward
Previous Clubs - Manchester City, Chelsea, Bolton (Loan)
Career Totals (Senior Club Level) - 178 Games / 68 Goals
International - 9 Caps / 2 Goals

Giuseppe Rossi

Current Club - Fiorentina
Age - 27
Position - Forward
Previous Clubs - Manchester United, Newcaslte United (Loan), Parma (Loan), Villareal
Career Totals (Senior Club Level) - 260 Games / 111 Goals
International - 29 Caps / 7 Goals

This 2013/14 season has seen both players in fine form. Rossi delivered his best season in 2010/11 hitting 32 goals in 56 appearances before two ACL injuries kept him on the sidelines for a combined 16 months. His return to form this season has been long overdue and it is a shame to see him pick up yet another knee injury in 2014.

Sturridge has had ability in abundance throughout his career but it has only been in the past year that he has finally begun to showcase his talents at the highest level. He has formed one of the most fearsome strike partnerships in the EPL with Luis Suarez scoring a combined 39 goals.

How have they performed this season?

Daniel Sturridge

Appearances - 18 (EPL)
Goals - 16
Assists - 4
Chances created - 14
Shot Accuracy - 54%

Giuseppe Rossi

Appearances - 18 (Serie A)
Goals - 14
Assists - 3
Chances created - 19
Shot Accuracy - 63%

Due to injuries to both players at different times this season we have ended up with a nice set of figures for our comparison. The pair have both played in 18 games so far this season scoring 30 goals between them. Sturridge has hit 16 and is currently in a rich vein of form scoring 8 goals in his last 8 games. Rossi has scored 14 goals from the same amount of games although he is currently out for several weeks and has missed his sides last 6 games.

What sort of goals do they score?

Daniel Sturridge

Left Foot - 11
Right Foot - 1
Head - 3
Other - 1

Giuseppe Rossi

Left Foot - 12
Right Foot - 2
Head - 0
Other - 0

Sturridge is predominantly left footed as reflected by the 11 goals he has scored with his left. It's a similar story with Rossi who is also left footed with almost all of his goals coming with his left boot. His total of zero headed goals isn't a surprise given he is only 5ft 8". Rossi has recorded a better shot accuracy percentage with 63% compared to 54% from Sturridge. Both players have scored 4 goals from outside of the box

Daniel Sturridge Shot Analysis (via Squawka.com)

Potential Impact in Brazil

England fans have been watching Sturridges current form with great interest with the hope and belief that he could carry on this form in Brazil. The Liverpool forward really has been in inspired form even outscoring team mate Luis Suzrez of late. His movement and predatory instincts have really seen him shine in 2014. It feels as if he is finally fulfilling the potential that saw him given a chance at Chelsea and Man City (although he certainly didn't deliver). The World stage is the perfect place for Sturridge to show everyone if he is good enough to become an England regular and also whether he has the burning desire to succeed at the top.

Rossi has undoubted skill and the ability to score goals with his quick feet and eye for goal. His weakness is clearly his fitness and his troublesome knee. Assuming he can stay fit he gives the Italians a chance to make an impact whether that is from the bench or in the starting eleven. His form this season simply cannot be overlooked. He brings others into the game (19 chances created for his team mates in 18 games this season) and can score goals. As long as he gets his chance he will undoubtedly cause the opposition problems.

Who will score more in Brazil?

If England can progress past the group stages we would fancy Sturridge to net more goals than Rossi. He is likely to be the spearhead behind Englands attacks and with some quality service he will be able to put the ball in the net.

Rossi will have a tougher job on his hands as he will be coming back from a lengthy lay off. He may not command a starting spot due to lack of fitness. He faces a race against time to recover from injury and get his fitness up for the opening game against England. His form this season will give him every chance of playing for the Italians.