Sheffield United have been urged to sign free agent Daniel Sturridge by Darren Bent.
The former Premier League striker was speaking on talkSPORT about the Blades’ struggles so far this season.
After 16 Premier League games, they are bottom of the table with no wins and just two points.
It’s the worst start in English top flight history.
Not only that, but United are also the lowest scorers in the division having only netted eight times during that time.
Bent questioned the South Yorkshire side’s recruitment ahead of 2020/21 and if they should have spent a club record fee on Rhian Brewster.
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And the 36-year-old has urged the Blades to turn to a more proven Premier League forward to address their scoring troubles.
Why Daniel Sturridge?
When asked whether United manager Chris Wilder should sign Sturridge, Bent said: “Yeah I would.
“You can’t go and give him a normal contract with his injury record. But if you talk about pay as you pay and he still looks hungry and motivated to play then why not?
“Pay as you play you can’t go wrong. Because if he doesn’t play you don’t get paid.”
Sturridge has been without a club since leaving Turkish side Trabzonspor in March.
In England, the 31-year-old was most recently playing for Liverpool in 2018/19.
Sturridge’s career may have blighted by injury, but when fit there are few more clinical in front of goal than the England international.
In terms of fitness, it would be a gamble to sign him. Yet as Bent suggests, a pay-as-you-play deal could counter that risk.
Sturridge certainly has credentials in the top flight of English football, having scored 77 times in 218 games for the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
The attacker also has 26 caps and eight goals for England.