Daniel Sturridge questions Xabi Alonso decision to not start Chelsea star: ‘Got it wrong’

Daniel Sturridge says Xabi Alonso make a huge mistake not starting Danny Welbeck in Chelsea’s defeat to Tottenham.

Spurs picked up a very rare win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night, outclassing the Blues in a 2-0 victory that lifted them up to 12^th place.

The hosts were without top goal scorer Joao Pedro who was left out of the squad after picking up a knock. Rather than calling upon Welbeck, Alonso handed Geovany Quenda his first Premier League start alongside Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers in attack.

Chelsea lacked fluidity all game and were well beaten by their London rivals. Despite looking well off the pace and toothless up front, Alonso resisted bringing on Welbeck until the 88^th minute following Tottenham’s second goal.

Welbeck has served as Pedro’s understudy since his arrival from Brighton in the summer with his omission from the team surprising Sturridge.

The former Chelsea striker believes Alonso’s decision also impacted Rogers and Palmer, believing Welbeck’s presence and experience was required.

‘I think the manager got it wrong,’ Sturridge told Sky Sports.

‘Quenda is a very good young player make no mistake but I think the way in which the team have played in the last couple of weeks, they were prepared to play with Joao Pedro.

‘He doesn’t start and it seems like it made the whole formation change. Because of that, for Palmer and Rogers that has an impact on their way of playing for Chelsea.

‘This season, having a focal point in Joao Pedro who is fantastic at that.

‘Is Welbeck as fast as him? No. Is he as dynamic? He isn’t. Bit what we know is he is a very good, very experienced football player who could have come in and done a job.

‘For me, Welbeck should have started today.’