This "why is this even a thread" rhetoric seems extremely pompous to me. For a start, the thread has been around since early 2011 when Sturridge was on loan at Bolton from Chelsea and Welbeck was on loan at Sunderland from United. The comparison between the two is completely understandable. They are a year apart, they've played together throughout the England youth ranks and they play in the same position(s) for rival clubs. Additionally, there are some interesting similarities and differences in their style of play that are worthy of comparison. They even have similar builds and stature - and yes they're both black too. Their careers have been running on an interesting kind of parallel for years now. This thread is an interesting tracking of their progressions.
Over the past few years their individual successes have dovetailed - with both having more promising spells than the other. Yes, in the last 12 months Sturridge has kicked on and is enjoying a new level of success and acclaim that Welbeck is yet to achieve. Prior to that, his spell at Chelsea was marked with the same issues as Welbeck's spell at United. Playing second fiddle to more established strikers, not getting a run in the team and being played out of position. Whisper it, but Welbeck's goal scoring record for United is actually superior to Sturridge's goal scoring record for Chelsea. Fair play to Sturridge he has taken his opportunity of first team football at Liverpool with both hands and he has stepped up a level. That is no reason to get on one's high horse, attack this thread, and play the smug "I'm more objective than you" card. The comparison between the two players is still interesting and will be interesting to watch develop over the next few years as their careers for club and country continue.
I think it's entirely reasonable to expect that in the next few years both Sturridge and Welbeck will have spells or seasons where they perform better than the other or have more individual success. It's also possible that one of them will kick on and leave the other one trailing in their wake. Either way - this thread is still worthy and interesting, and doesn't need this fecking dismissive pretentiousness that is stinking up the last few pages. The only posters coming out from this at all well are the Scousers, who are at least posting with good humour and are deservedly enjoying the fact that their player is currently in the form of his life.