Ashley Cole backs Daniel Sturridge to shine at Chelsea after Bolton loan spell

FA CUP – Daniel Sturridge – Salomon Kalou – Jose Bosingwa, Chelsea v Ipswich Town (Getty Images)

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Ashley Cole has tipped Daniel Sturridge to shine at Chelsea after the forward’s loan spell at Bolton.

Sturridge bagged eight goals for Owen Coyle’s side in 12 outings and Cole understands why the 21-year-old was so successful.

“I saw Daniel Sturridge recently, and look at what he has done at Bolton,” Cole told the club’s official website.

“I knew what he could do, I’ve seen him in training and he’s honestly one of the hardest players I’ve ever had to mark, his movement is unreal, so the future here is with the young players and hopefully when he comes back next season he’ll see more opportunities and bang goals in for us like he has done for Bolton.”

Sturridge’s departure for the Reebok during the January transfer window meant he was not a part of the Chelsea title challenge which gathered speed before ending in defeat to eventual Champions Manchester United, but Cole has branded is side’s second-place finish as “not bad” and highlighted the spirit of the team for coming back to make a fight of the run-in.

“At the start of the season we played some good football, some sexy football to be fair,” he said.

“Blackpool at home in that first half was special, but it’s been a tough season.

“When we had that crazy, not even a blip, an unheard of period for any team, when we were going through that stage everyone wrote us off and rightly so at the time, but give us credit to come back and okay, lose it by four points or whatever.

“That said though, we feel as though we should be winning and we want to win, but second is not bad in this league.”

Further consolation for the England left-back was his inclusion in the Premier League team of the year and his ability to complete all 38 games of Chelsea’s season for the first time.

“I think it’s a good achievement, Lamps has done it a few times and you always want to play in every game and as many as you can, so luckily for me I’ve managed to do it and on Sunday it was nice to have done it,” said the 30-year-old.

“I’ve never done it before, at Arsenal the team was rotated a little bit, but this year I’ve been lucky with injuries, I’ve not had too many problems where I’ve not trained or not been available to play.

“We have good fitness coaches and good medical staff here who look after my ankle and understand if I need to rest a day and I’m able to play.”