It's Round and It's White
Andy Carroll has always been one to take criticism from football fans across the nation, contrasted by those who truly believe he can become England’s next big number 9.
At the ripe age of 23, and still learning, Carroll is hoping to continue to impress as he did towards the back end of last season with Liverpool. But constant speculation towards his future will have its effect on the powerful forward.
After being told he will not feature in the starting 11 under Brendan Rodgers, Premier League clubs such as Newcastle and West Ham have attempted on several occasions already this summer to lure the powerful forward away from Anfield.
I believe Andy Carroll should stay put at Anfield. I’m going to offer three reasons as to why I think he’d be an asset to have, and not one to get rid of this coming season.
Brendan Rodgers
Any manager talented enough to guide a team made up of mostly British players to the Premier League after promotion from the Championship, and then ges them playing the type of scintillating possession football that can be compared to that of Barcelona, is also capable of nurturing Andy Carroll’s huge potential.
Liverpool’s new manager has the ability to work with Carroll, just like he did with Danny Graham last season with the Swans. The two players are similar, with Carroll just that little stronger and carrying more of an aerial threat than his Swansea counterpart. Graham performed admirably under Rodgers last term, aiding the teams cause with 12 goals. With Rodgers’ work on the training ground, can he not make the same of Andy Carroll, if not better? I believe so. Give it time.
Get Out Of Jail Card
Carroll offers Liverpool a ‘Plan B’ that not many teams in the Premier League can offer. The generation of petite, quick and nimble players is all well and good, but not all of them offer what this lad can. As the clock approaches the 80-minute mark and the Reds are 1-0 down (which is oh-so-often the case) Carroll can come on and make that difference once Rodgers advises his team to scrap the possession football and start playing a more direct style.
Pumping the ball into the box with Suarez and Borini standing around the penalty spot, I doubt many punters will back either to come up with a powerful header and nod Liverpool level. Carroll can do that, as proved by his header for England against Sweden in the Euros.
Financially Unacceptable
At 23 years old and with a contract running until 2016, Liverpool should be in no rush to sell the young forward. They have received offers around the £15m-£20m mark, which is £15m short of what Liverpool paid Newcastle back in January last year. As his form also proved towards the end of last season, and with the potential that so many see in him, Carroll has set out to prove to the doubters that he does have what it takes to succeed at this level. With Rodgers at the helm to guide him, Carroll has all the potential to come good for his club and country. His value can only increase under the exciting manager, so the club must hold of him for at least one more season.
If Andy Carroll was to leave for half of what was paid for him after just one season, and not even a game under the new manager, I’d be bitterly disappointed, and I’m sure so would half of the Anfield fan base. It doesn’t make sense to me. Let’s be honest, if they do let the big striker move on then he’s only going to come back to haunt them.
