The potential signing of Andy Carroll from West Ham shows a severe lack of ambition and is a backward step for the Blues. Whether it is Antonio Conte or the Chelsea board driving the move, it can only end in disappointment.
At first the transfer seemed unlikely. Then it started picking up pace from increasingly reputable sources. David Moyes denies any knowledge of talk, but his board probably keeps him in the dark as much as Antonio Conte’s.
Now Chelsea fans are bracing themselves for the very real prospect that Andy Carroll will be the long-awaited second striker. Before we even get to what it means for Michy Batshuayi or Tammy Abraham, here is a breakdown of why the transfer would be destined to fail simply looking at Carroll himself.
Injuries: Chelsea do not need another Loic Remy
Every man and his dog knows about Andy Carroll’s awful injury record. If Chelsea let Michy Batshuayi go and install Carroll as the number two behind Alvaro Morata, it is putting a lot of faith in a player who has not shown the ability to stay fit for extended periods of time.
Only twice in his career has he played over 30 league games in a season. According to Transfer Market, he spent 1160 days injured since the beginning of the 2008/09 season. That is over three calendar years out of the lineup in eight seasons.
Age and transfer fees should move in opposite directions
Andy Carroll recently turned 29. Given his injury record, he likely will not be playing at the top level deep into his 30’s. Chelsea normally have a policy of not signing older players and giving them big contracts, especially when they approach the wrong side of 30.
Related Story: Chelsea cannot afford the fallout from Alexis Sanchez's contract demands
Why change now? And why change for Andy Carroll? Spending the rumoured £30 million asking price would be insane at this stage of his career.**
Record: This is not the lethal striker you are looking for
This is a player who has only ever scored double figures once in the Premier League: 2011, when he managed 11 for Newcastle. In his entire career, he scored 77 times in 283 games – around one in four. Take away Championship goals, and it’s 59 in 233. Not good enough for the Champions of England, playing in the Champions League.
Style of play
We know that Antonio Conte likes his forward player to be strong and hold up the ball. Chelsea were after Fernando Llorente in the summer, highlighting how the Blues’ manager would like this option off the bench late in games. Whilst having a plan B is understandable, is this really the route Chelsea want to take?
They have brilliant ball-playing, dribbling players, such as Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas, so why should they start lumping it long to Andy Carroll at the latter stages of games? If you’re that desperate late on in the game, send Gary Cahill up front and save the money.
With Antonio Conte unlikely to be at Chelsea for many years to come, signing a player specifically suited to one manager’s way of thinking seems unwise.
Lack of ambition
Perhaps most importantly, the transfer shows a lack of ambition from Chelsea. Whilst the two Manchester clubs haggle over Alexis Sanchez and Arsenal are linked with Pierre-Emrick Aubameyang, Chelsea would be signing an injury-prone forward, one who already failed at one top club and with a terrible scoring record.
Picture Eden Hazard sitting down for contract talks with the Chelsea board. Does the signing of Andy Carroll suggest to Hazard that he is at one of the biggest clubs in the world? Does it suggest that Chelsea want to play football the right way and challenge for trophies on all fronts?
Next: Chelsea's predicted 3-4-3 vs. Norwich: Rotating to yet another new XI
Chelsea need to show ambition and go all out to not only keep their best players, but attract more of the worlds best. Now part of a top six, the Blues cannot afford to get left behind in the transfer market.
* It would also be insane at any stage of his career.