Despite the initial media and oppo fan portrayal as a gold-digger too big for his boots, he came across as being down-to-earth (and there are some reports claiming he moved for LESS money than what was offered by City).

Champions League now was the key 

'My motivation was to play in the Champions League,' explained the youngster. 

'I am a young player but I am very ambitious and I want to push myself to the highest level and play with the best players in the world. I believe that I can achieve big things here at Chelsea. 

'But I am going to be very patient, because I know there are world class players here and I am not going to get upset if I am not playing because it is very long season. There are going to be a lot of games and hopefully as the season goes on there are going to be opportunities so I can show the fans what abilities I have. 

'I am not saying that Man City haven't got ambitions for the Champions League, or for any competition, but Chelsea is a fresh start for me and I believe that coming here will make me a better player. 

'Man City is the past and Chelsea is the future for me.'

 

One of four strikers? 

19-year-old Sturridge will now form part of a striker selection including Drogba and Anelka (it remains to be seen if Di Santo is to be loaned out) and probably one other new face before the season commences. 

'I trained with Anelka when I was 15 at Man City,'  

'I looked up to him as a young boy and the same with Drogba. I saw him when he was playing in France and he has fantastic ability. They will both make me become better players." 

Becoming a man at Chelsea 

'I will become a man working with the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard, Drogba and Anelka. They are going to push me on,” said the striker. 

'Also the manager has dealt with big players in the past. He has had a lot of world class players at AC Milan - Kaká, Pato - and I believe he can make me achieve huge things.' 

Hopes for England 

'Any player playing for a big club will believe they can push themselves if they show what they are all about on the football field. They will believe they can push themselves to get into the England squad,' said Sturridge. 

'I am a young player and hopefully by coming here I can get an opportunity to get into the full England squad.'

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