Andy Carroll Ready to Figure Prominently for Both Newcastle United and England

November 28 22:16 2010 Print This Article

The off-field activities of 6` 3″ Newcastle striker Andy Carroll have been well documented in the press in recent weeks. However, this appears to have had no detrimental effects on the footballing performances of the powerful front man.

Andy Carroll Ready to Figure Prominently for Both Newcastle United and England

Newcastle United
21 year-old Carroll, a classic “no. 9” centre forward, with superb strength, powerful shot and superb in the air, has already received favourable comparisons to Alan Shearer, the club`s record goalscorer.

Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway, recently described Carroll as “the best striker in the Premier League.” Up to 28th November, Carroll`s 9 goals from 14 appearances in the 2010-11 season have been significant in the club`s relatively impressive return to the top tier of English football.

Andy Carroll vies for the ball with Chelsea's John Obi Mikel

18 points from 14 games has left Newcastle in the top half of the Premiership table. The striker`s impressive performances have attracted the attention of the Premiership`s leading sides and Newcastle manager, Chris Hughton, was delighted when Carroll signed a new 5-year deal with the club, at the beginning of October. Nonetheless, there remains a good deal of speculation over his club future.

According to caughtoffside website, Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelloti, is lining up Carroll as a replacement for Didier Drogba and may make a £15 million move for the Newcastle striker as early as the January transfer window.

Manager Hughton will be anxious to discourage interest in the potential-laden St. James` Park striker as the Magpies continue to strive for a top-6 finish.

England
Following a successful international career at under-19 and under-21 level, Andy Carroll earned his senior call-up in the Wembley friendly against France on 17th November. England put up a poor performance in their 2-1 loss to Les Bleus and Andy Carroll`s performance was one of the few positives to take from the game.

Andy Carroll competes for the ball with France's Adil Rami

He did not look at all out of place in senior company, his work rate was superb and he appears to have a big future with the national side. Carroll appears close to the finished article, with strength, swagger, great feet and a hunched, gliding style that conceals a good turn of foot.

As a predominantly left-footed player, he adds a slightly different dimension to the England attack and proved a handful for the French defence. With England resorting to “route one” football, Carroll won many of the hopeful punts forward and even when failing to win the ball, his combination of brute strength and cunning prevented France from clearing their lines effectively.

Wayne Rooney was absent for the French encounter but made his Manchester United comeback from injury against Wigan on the following Saturday and England boss, Fabio Capello, is eagerly anticipating the pair playing together.

Capello said, “They will be a good combination. Not only is Carroll good in the air, he has good movement, he can bring other players into the game when he receives the ball, he can dribble and is always looking for the goal.” Carroll looks a ready-made partner for Rooney in the forthcoming Euro 2012 Qualifiers.

Fans who watch live football online are likely to see Andy Carroll to continue to figure prominently for both Newcastle and England.

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