Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti criticises Daniel Sturridge's performance against MSK Zilina

Carlo Ancelotti gave some insight into the standards he expects from his Chelsea players when he criticised Daniel Sturridge’s performance against MSK Zilina in the Champions League.

Daniel Sturridge - Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti criticises Daniel Sturridge's performance against MSK Zilina
On target: Daniel Sturridge scored for Chelsea against MSK Zilina, but was still criticised by his manager, Carlo Ancelotti Credit: Photo: ACTION IMAGES

Despite the 21 year-old scoring in the 4-1 victory over the Slovakian champions, the Chelsea manager said: “He’s a Chelsea player with good quality. He could do better. I expected more of him on Wednesday and he knows this.

"He has fantastic ability, and I’d like to see these skills and ability more in a game. He scored with fantastic movement, but we need to see more of that.”

Sturridge made 20 appearances for Chelsea — scoring five goals — last season following his summer move from Manchester City. However he started only six of those games.

It was always going to be difficult to establish himself in a team that contains Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, and Sturridge has admitted he struggled to settle.

Chelsea’s failure to sign Brazilian striker Neymar may, however, give him more opportunities.

Given that he is is regarded as one of the brightest young players in the country, it has been frustrating for Chelsea that he has not made more of an impression.

He is likely to return to the substitutes’ bench for Sunday’s Premier League match at home to Blackpool.

With Frank Lampard out, Ancelotti may also rest Anelka, whom he backed in his ‘handcuff’ celebrations following his goals against Zilina, in protest at the ban meted out by the French Football Federation.

He added: “I agree with him. I think he’s had a bad deal. Maybe, for this reason, he has more motivation to play well.”