Daniel Sturridge has named a two time winner of the PFA Player of the Year award as the greatest Premier League player of all-time.
Daniel Sturridge might not be in the conversation when it comes to the all-time Premier League greats, but his playing career had plenty of highlights. Sturridge is a two-time winner of the Champions League with Chelsea and Liverpool. He also won the Premier League with Chelsea, as well as two FA Cups.
Sturridge’s individual record of accomplishments is not quite as impressive. However, he was still named in the 2013/14 PFA team of the year and won two Premier League player of the month awards.
The retired striker has never claimed to be one the Premier League’s best players. Instead, he has heaped praise on a former Arsenal striker who collected personal accolades for fun.
Sturridge was asked by Away Days if Thierry Henry was the best Premier League player of all-time. With the ex-Liverpool forward having previously dubbed Henry as his idol, his answer came as no surprise.
Sturridge said: “I think so. You know, when it’s all said and done, who knows.
“I think Thierry’s inspired so many centre-forwards and attackers around the world to be, you know, flexible in terms of position, in terms of finding a go-to finish that they can do on the football pitch.
“He had the class, he had the charisma, he had that vibe about him and that aura. Went to the US, ripped it up, goals and assists as you would expect from a legend, an icon like himself, and an exemplary career, won so many trophies and everything.”
Sturridge is not just a fan of who Henry was as a player, but who he is as an individual.
“Can’t talk highly enough of the guy,” Sturridge continued. “He’s inspired me to be not just a professional, but also who I’ve become today. Yeah, all round top guy.”
Naming every award won by Henry would take some time. The French goal machine won the Premier Golden Boot four consecutive seasons and was named in the UEFA Team of the Year five times.
It is clear how much Henry inspired Sturridge. Shortly before his move to Liverpool, Sturridge told The Standard he believed playing out wide would help him improve. He made a comparison with Henry, who played on the wing for Juventus before returning to the centre forward position at Arsenal.
Sturridge did play some matches on the wing for Liverpool, but like Henry, he made his way back to the central striker position. This allowed him to be a serious goal threat, leading to his greatest season, when he scored 22 Premier League goals and registered seven assists for the Anfield outfit.
