Are Chelsea really making the right decision targeting West Ham’s Andy Carroll to solve their goal-scoring problems?
Andy Carroll of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion.
The Blues’ 0-0 Premier League home draw to Leicester City at the weekend was their third successive stalemate in all competitions, as both Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard failed to impress in attack.
Harry Maguire of Leicester City challenges Alvaro Morata of Chelsea during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.
Club record signing Morata has now not scored in five matches and with Michy Batshuayi not in Conte’s plans and linked with a loan exit during the January transfer window, the Italian has turned back to Carroll.
Alexis Sanchez is a target but the Arsenal forward is more likely to join Manchester City or Manchester United, while Red Star Belgrade’s Richmond Boakye and Christian Benteke of Crystal Palace are also being considered.
Antonio Conte, manager of Chelsea, looks on during the Premier League match against Leicester City.
Yet if Conte wants to improve the amount of goals being scored by his team is Carroll really the answer? After all, since joining the Hammers permanently in the summer of 2013 after a season on loan, the 29-year-old has netted 32 times in 128 games.
That is a ratio of a goal ever four matches, which is hardly the prolific record that will help the West Londoners maintain their place in the Champions League qualification spots. Not to mention Carroll’s difficulty staying fit.
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