Andy Carroll has spent time at Newcastle United, Liverpool and West Ham.
Andy Carroll has shaken off his injuries over the past few weeks and has looked like the striker West Ham hoped they had all along.
His highlight was a spectacular bicycle kick against Crystal Palace, and he now has five goals in seven Premier League starts.
West Ham United’s Andy Carroll scores their second goal
At 28, time is running out for Carroll to fulfil his potential, and he is acutely aware of this.
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Speaking to The Mail, Carroll said he would rate his career at just a six, when asked to give himself marks out of 10.
He said: “Six — Newcastle, yeah good. Liverpool: never really happened. Here? In spells, yes. Not really done what I know I can do and believe I will do.
“There’s a lot more. Yes, I’ll give myself six. Nine caps for England, there are more caps in me. I’ve always thought I could play for England if I am on my game — if I am fit.”
West Ham United’s Andy Carroll during training
And that has always been and will remain the conundrum, whether Carroll can stay healthy enough to be a regular starter.
It is a question which will continue to hang over him, having made only 32 league starts across the past three seasons out of a possible 114.
He has a decent return of 19 goals from those 32 games, so it is understandable Carroll maintains a belief he can win further international honours.
It seems his one regret is perhaps leaving Newcastle when he did, back in 2011.
He said: “I loved it at Newcastle. I wasn’t ready to leave. It came as a shock. I’d had a season ticket, it was my club and it was a shock to move. I was 22. I could never get a grip at Liverpool.”
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