Andre Schurrle: I'm more of an attacker than a midfielder

Andre Schurrle

Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle hit a hat trick to secure a 3-1 win over neighbours Fulham on Saturday, but refuted suggestions that he could be a solution to the side’s problem central striker role. The German’s hat trick took him to six goals for the season, but told reporters that he believes that his best position is attacking from deep.

Schurrle has struggled for game time at the club this season, but revealed that he has been listening to his manager Jose Mourinho on ways to improve his play, before continuing by talking about the Premier League title race; toeing the party line by talking up Manchester City as title favourites.

On his position, the 23 year old opened: “I think I’m more of an attacker than a midfielder like Lamps [Frank Lampard].”

“I can play No 10, on the right side or something in between to get my runs from the deep and get some shots in.”

”I think for me, when I play on the right wing and Eden [Hazard] on the left it’s perfect because I know he can take on two or three people and have the quality to make the pass to me. When I start my run, he always knows that I’m running and sees me. There were two perfect passes from him [for Schurrle’s first two goals].”

Shurrle’s manager backed up his assessment of his position, agreeing that he is not a striker.

“He is a cold blooded finisher, with good finishing technique, but he is not a striker,” said Mourinho.

The German has made 20 appearances for Chelsea in this season’s Premier League, but has started 12 of those from the substitutes bench.

However he has now started back to back games for the club, having impressed against Galatasaray in midweek, and believes that he is reaping the rewards of the hard work that Mourinho has given him on the training ground.

“We talked a lot. He [Mourinho] told me I needed to change, to change my game and my body. And that’s what I’ve done over the last two months. I’ve really worked very hard to be aggressive, to be in a good shape with my body. I did a lot in the gym. Now I’m ready to play more often.”

Should he play more often, then Schurrle could prove key in helping Chelsea hold onto their place at the top of the table. However, despite their position, he insisted that fourth placed Manchester City are his favourites as they have their fate in their own hands.

City currently sit six points behind Chelsea, but can draw level on points if they win their two games in hand. The Citizens currently have a 12 goal better goal difference than Chelsea, prompting Schurrle to suggest that he is envious of their position.

“I prefer to have the destiny in my hands, and only they have destiny in their hands,” continued the German.

“If [Chelsea] win every game until the end of the season, all 10 – which we won’t – but if we do, maybe we are not champions. If they win all 12 games they have, they are champions. They have their destiny in their hands.”