OPINION
With news that West Ham fear Andy Carroll will try and force through a move to Chelsea, Hammers fans need not fear because the striker’s departure should be equally as welcomed.
The Telegraph reported on Monday that the 29-year-old striker may try and force West Ham to sell him, as he would be keen to join such a high-flying club.
Chelsea currently sit fourth in the Premier League and are competing for the Champions League places, whereas the Hammers sit 11th with the threat of relegation still hanging over them.
The Evening Standard reported that a deal was unlikely on Monday, as the Hammers want a permanent transfer, while Chelsea are only willing to propose a loan.
However, even if the clubs can settle on an agreement that sees Carroll play his football at Stamford Bridge for the second-half of the season, it’s not that big a blow to David Moyes’ side.
Carroll isn’t even a guaranteed starter for West Ham, with the majority of his 15 appearances this season, having been made from the bench.
The centre-forward did start against West Bromwich Albion at the start of January and scored all of the Hammers’ goals in their vital 2-1 victory, but they were his first goals of the season.
The 29-year-old is also on huge wages, with the Telegraph reporting he earns £90,000-a-week, a ludicrous amount for a glorified substitute to be earning at club like West Ham.
The Hammers are also not short of striking options, while the club are apparently open to the idea of selling Diafra Sakho and Javier Hernandez; the club could keep both of them to be cover for Marko Arnautovi?.
Those three should be more than enough to secure Moyes’ target of Premier League survival, if Carroll was to depart.
Also while Carroll’s potential Chelsea departure may be temporary at first, it could lead to permanent move if he impresses.
This should be music to West Ham’s ears as they may be able to recoup some of the £15million they paid Liverpool in 2013.
For a long time it looked unlikely that the Hammers would get any money back for the forward, given his age and injury record.
The forward has only played 128 times for West Ham in his near four-year spell at the club, with him spending a lot of time sidelined by multiple injuries.
Now these reasons suggest Hammers fans should be driving Carroll to Stamford Bridge to seal a deal, but there are reasons to still be happy if he stays.
Even if he tries to force a move, the forward will settle down quickly because the 29-year-old still has ambitions of forcing himself into England’s World Cup squad in the summer.
Carroll told Sky Sports in October that if he works hard, an international call-up will follow.
The 29-year-old, despite being expensive, is still a useful squad player capable of performing when called upon.
He may not like it, but due to his England’s ambition, he will still perform to the best of his ability.
Therefore, whether Carroll goes to Chelsea or stays at West Ham; either scenario will leave the Hammers happy.