Chelsea’s new teenage striker Daniel Sturridge targeted the Champions League on Thursday, but neatly sidestepped the thorny question of John Terry possibly heading for his former club Manchester City.
The 19-year-old left City to link-up with Carlo Ancelotti’s new-look Chelsea but his first day at training was overshadowed by the future of club skipper Terry.
City have already had a 30million-pound bid for the veteran defender rejected.
“My main motivation was to play in the Champions League,” said Sturridge, explaining his switch to Stamford Bridge.
“I am very ambitious and want to push myself to the highest level and play with the best in the world. I believe I can achieve big things at Chelsea.
“I am very young and I will be very patient because there are world-class players here. I am not going to get too upset if I am not playing because I know it is a long season and a lot of games.
“I want to win as many trophies as I can. I am not saying Man City have not got ambitions for the Champions League or for any competition but the main thing for me was to come to Chelsea to better me as a player.
“I will become a man here. The likes of John Terry will push me on to become a better player.”
But Sturridge refused to be drawn into the debate over Terry’s future.
“That’s a matter for John and Chelsea to deal with. I am just looking to make an impact at the club,” he said.
