Slaven Bilic has delivered the most telling sign yet that Andy Carroll’s time at West Ham United is up which could alert Newcastle United.
West Ham United’s Andy Carroll
Carroll has had another injury ravaged season in a career riddled by them with just 17 league appearances to his name this term.
He won’t be adding to that tally this weekend when West Ham travel to Burnley for the season finale and there is a feeling of exasperation once again from the terraces to the boardroom.
In the four years since making his move to Upton Park permanent, Carroll has made just 73 appearances from a possible 152, scoring 23 goals.
But once again the Hammers have mistakenly relied on the big Geordie to somehow break his cycle of injuries and lead the line this season and yet again it has backfired.
Now Bilic has indicated the expensive striker’s time in East London may be up, as reported by the likes of Sky Sports.
“It is not a subject for now, but Andy is kind of a player that has such a big impact on our game that we won’t give up on him,” Bilic told Sky Sports.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has admitted he can no longer rely on Carroll
“On the other hand, it is no good having a player whose name you put down first, second or third and can’t rely on him.”
It is easy to see why West Ham have been so keen to give Carroll every chance to prove he can keep himself fit.
He always gives 100% and when fully fit and firing there are not many better all-round forwards in the Premier League – this season proved that when he managed seven goals from 12 games to push himself to the brink of an England recall before injury struck again.
Indeed if Carroll had stayed fit this season, the Hammers would undoubtedly be pushing for a top eight place.
Instead it took a win against Tottenham Hotspur with two games to go to secure Premier League safety and Bilic’s side can finish no higher than 12th.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
Carroll’s boyhood club Newcastle have secured their return to the Premier League by winning the Championship and Rafa Benitez is staying at St James Park having received assurances over transfer funds available to him this summer.
So the striker’s potential availability could alert the Spaniard who knows he must strengthen the spine of his team with proven quality to be competitive in the top flight and Carroll would certainly fit the bill.
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