West Ham man heading his way into England contention
Published:
Andy Carroll’s hat-trick against Arsenal has led to some pushing for the West Ham man to be included in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for Euro 2016.
This may seem like a reactionary response at first, but when you consider that Carroll has scored seven goals in only eight Premier League starts, it makes much more sense.
Furthermore, five of these seven strikes were headers and this shows what the former Newcastle United man would bring to the Three Lions that others won’t.
Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane look pretty much guaranteed to make it on the plane to France, with their 21 and 22 top-flight goals respectively this season showing why they deserve to.
However, between them, they have only found the net through a header on three occasions and don’t possess the same kind of aerial threat as Carroll.
The performance against the Gunners proved the 27-year-old can cause real problems for defences and his height would be a real asset to the Three Lions.
His manager certainly thinks so, with Slaven Bilic saying: “Andy Carroll has everything. It’s impossible to stop him.
“Heading, he’s maybe the best in the world.”
At just over 6ft 3in Carroll is three inches taller than Kane, who in turn is four inches taller than Vardy, so clearly the ex-Liverpool striker has much more of a physical presence.
However, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck, who the Hammers’ forward will be competing with for a place in the squad, have also been using their head well this term.
Two of Sturridge’s five Premier League goals have been headers, while Welbeck has managed the same number in his three strikes.
Yet, both are still shorter than Carroll and have also struggled for fitness this term so, if Hodgson is willing to consider either of these despite their injuries, then surely West Ham’s imposing forward is more deserving due to his greater physical presence and goal tally.
Furthermore, the Gateshead-born marksman has proven himself at this level before and in his only start in a competitive tournament for England, he headed the Three Lions into the lead as the side went on to beat Sweden 3-2 at Euro 2012.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
