Can Daniel Sturridge be the answer to England's World Cup woes?

England manager Roy Hodgson may be facing a few difficulties in picking his starting line-up for England’s World Cup opener against Italy, but he should have no problems in picking his striker. An absolutely sensational year at Liverpool has all but ensured that Daniel Sturridge will be leading the charge for the Three Lions in Brazil.
The former Chelsea forward is in the form of his life, coming off a career defining season at Liverpool having notched up astonishing figures of 24 goals in 33 games in all competitions. Not only that, Sturridge adds a second genuine goal scoring threat for England along with Wayne Rooney, who is likely to be employed in a deeper role.
Sturridge will remember this season as one where he came of age in the Premier League. After having his troubles in Chelsea, where he was often played out wide, Sturridge joined Liverpool in January 2013 for a fee of around £12 million. The impact was instant as Sturridge became the first Liverpool player since Ray Kennedy in 1974 to score three goals in his first three matches. He would end the season with 11 goals from 16 games, despite hardly ever playing 90 minutes. He also notched up his first career hattrick against Fulham. The following season was a ground breaking one for the 24 year old as he racked up 21 goals in 29 league games, finishing second in the scoring charts only to strike partner Luis Suarez. His performances quelled the doubts about his temperament and he made his one of the first names Roy Hodgson would pick for the plane to Brazil.
Sturridge is likely to start as the sole striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation for England in the World Cup. While he is accustomed to playing anywhere across the front line, Sturridge’s successes at Anfield have come playing as a striker just ahead of Suarez. His pace, skill and killer instinct caused panic in defences all over the country, and his understanding with Suarez helped forge one of the most lethal strike partnerships in the history of English football. It will be interesting to see how well Rooney and Sturridge link up and if their understanding is half as good as it was with the Uruguayan, we can expect to see a few smiles on the faces of the English fans.
And it’s only the England fans who believe in the qualities of their number 9.  Legendary England striker Alan Shearer also echoes the same feelings.  "I think there is no doubt he will start against Italy and so he should and then the rest is up to him. And the quicker he feels that shirt is his then the better it will be for him and everyone because he will play with the belief and confidence that he is a top player”  said the former England captain when asked whether Sturridge can make the forward position his own.
With such words of encouragement, there should be no doubt that Daniel Sturridge will make a mark in Brazil. Can he do it for England?
England vs Italy on June 14 may well provide the answer.