A CHEEKY youngster has told one of his footballing heroes exactly how he would mark him if they ever met in a competitive match.

Arran Ballard, aged nine, from Woodlands Park, Great Dunmow, got the chance to train with Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge after winning a nationwide competition.

After travelling down to the Chelsea training ground in Cobham with his dad, the Barnston under 9s defender said: “I was a bit nervous, but it was very exciting, we got to do tricks, take penalties and he taught me the Cruyff turns.”

When we asked young Arran how he would deal with someone of Sturridge’s pace and ability he simply replied “mark him really tight!”

Sturridge, 21, is one of Arran’s favourite players and he said that he really hopes the forward stays at Chelsea after spending months on loan at Bolton prior to a possible move in the summer.

The ‘once in a lifetime’ competition was run by the Disney Aim High initiative which aims to inspire a generation of children to get the most out of life and try new things.