Andy Cole, or Andrew Cole, as he decided to become in his latter years, reckons Daniel Sturridge should be England’s first-choice no.9.
He aired these views on Twitter as England were beating Malta on Saturday, partly thanks to the Liverpool forward’s headed goal.
Been saying it for awhile now.. @DanielSturridge needs to be @England main no.9 the best we got! #ENGMAL
— Andrew Cole (@vancole9) October 8, 2016
But naturally, and hilariously, Manchester United fans took enormous offence to their former striker’s opinion – wondering why he’d forgotten their own boywonder Marcus Rashford!
@leeNaNapoulton @vancole9 @DanielSturridge @England disagree with you ANDY COLE. Marcus Rashford is far better
— ME fighter Mcfadden (@janemeeps) October 9, 2016
@vancole9 @DanielSturridge @England Prefer Rashford any day of the week
— LeePoulton (@leeNaNapoulton) October 8, 2016
@vancole9 @DanielSturridge @England you high?
— Joe Walker (@joewalker021099) October 8, 2016
@vancole9 @DanielSturridge @England shut it Andy
— on the couch (@Caddy1970) October 8, 2016
Rashford’s an enormous talent, but he’s being used wide for United due to Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing centrally, so this is where he should likely play for England too at the moment.
Sturridge is England’s most naturally gifted finisher, but his inability to get in Liverpool’s first-choice starting XI may limit his international ambitions long-term…
The problem is that Jurgen Klopp doesn’t use a traditional no.9; he uses a hybrid midfielder/presser/playmaker type attacker centrally – a role Roberto Firmino absolutely thrives in.
This is why Sturridge has actually been used in a wider position at times this season, despite the fact he’d score a hatful centrally.
With Adam Lallana injured though, Sturridge might get the nod up top in Liverpool’s next clash, ironically against United next Monday…
If he does, let’s hope he proves Cole right!