Sturridge: Has got Villas-Boas' back

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Sturridge lauds Blues ‘family’

Against a backdrop of poor form and alleged mutiny under Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, striker Daniel Sturridge insists all is well at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues, who travel to Napoli for their UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg tie on Tuesday, extended their winless run to four games on Saturday following a 1-1 FA Cup fifth-round draw with Birmingham.

The poor home result in the domestic knockout competition only served to stoke the flames under beleaguered boss Villas-Boas, who many feel faces the chop at the end of the season.

The Portuguese tactician admitted last week that he does not have the complete backing of his disgruntled squad, but Sturridge has revealed that the west Londoners “are not a divided unit”.

“We are all together as one and we are not a divided unit,” the 22-year-old told Chelsea TV.

“We are a family and we’ve got a good unit going here and I think maybe we will see that in the next few games.

“We are working hard in training and the standard has risen since the last couple of games.

“We know what we have got to do and we are not losing sight of that.”

Sturridge also spoke on the Blues’ trip to Naples, saying: “I don’t think it is a defining week for the club but hopefully we don’t get in the same situation as against Birmingham where we have to come from behind.”

“They have some great individuals as well as a good team but we have the same and we are not going to worry about what they have got.

“I am certainly not worried about that and we are going out there with the state of mind that we can win the game and play some good football, maybe get some more opportunities and put them away.”