Andre Villas-Boas has compared Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge to Porto forward Hulk.

The Blues boss, who managed the Brazilian in Portugal last season, believes that the 22-year-old Englishman can also excel in his system as a left-footed player on the right flank.

"I am not sure how his career will evolve," Villas-Boas said. "He has natural ability to play on the right flank, he has the opportunity to offer me the characteristics I had with Hulk when I was at Porto. He creates unpredictability.

"He has been performing well for the team. He is an extremely quick player, and he has technique at pace. You get plenty of pacy players, but what is important is that he arrives with the ball, he can control it and do something with it. That is what he offers."

Sturridge is in line this afternoon for a start against former club Bolton Wanderers, where he spent the second half of last season on loan.