West Ham should take a punt on Daniel Sturridge following Liverpool release

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West Ham United enjoyed a mid-season flourish under Manuel Pellegrini to ensure a decent start to life back in English football for the Chilean.

After a ropey looking start, the Hammers settled and finished the season in a reasonable tenth place.

The challenge for Pellegrini next season will be to improve upon that, add a few players to his ranks and ultimately try and compete for a place in Europe.

In order to do that the right sort of experience and know-how will need to be blended alongside a couple of stellar recruits.

Daniel Sturridge was released by Liverpool yesterday and he could be a low-risk option for West Ham to consider this summer.

The 29-year-old’s departure signalled the end of a nine-year association on Merseyside. He leaves Anfield with 68 goals in 160 appearances and as a newly-crowned European Champion.

Brendan Rodgers took a chance on Sturridge back in 2013, taking him from Chelsea for £12 million, according to The Telegraph.

Competition for places

Pellegrini isn’t blessed with lots of striking option at the London Stadium and the chance to sign a proven goalscorer like Sturridge shouldn’t be sniffed at.

The main thing for Sturridge is to play football and West Ham can offer him the chance to do that – certainly more so than he has been doing at Liverpool for the past two months.

The versatile forward is better through the middle but can play out wide, whilst his experience of playing in European competitions could prove invaluable for the Hammers.

Sturridge was paid £130k-a-week by Liverpool, according to Spotrac, and it seems unlikely that he would get that at West Ham. A small pay-cut for the chance to continue playing regular Premier League football might not prove too much to ask, however.

If Pellegrini can get the striker back to his best, it would prove a shrewd free transfer and at 29 he still has a little bit of time on his side.