The absence of our record signing and highest earner Andy Carroll from the first two pre season friendlies has been a frequent talking point on social media networks. Although the the 25 year striker reported back for training at Chadwell Health and flew to Evian, France with the squad he has been absent for both pre season games. Rumours suggest he had a small niggle and they were not risking him, this seemed sensible and a credible reason for his absence. We were assured he would be flying to New Zealand though.
WHTID Author EXWHUEmployee believes his absence is for a totally different reason suggesting ’’Andy Carroll had reported back quite unfit and has been given an intensive programme to improve fitness and will feature in NZ as well."
West Ham’s official twitter made a point to publish a photo of Andy Carroll together with his mate Kevin Nolan at Heathrow airport on Thursday night ready to catch a 23 hour Air Qantas flight to New Zealand. If his lack of fitness is true lets hope he gets fit soon to repay some of the £15m record transfer fee and £4m in wages he has earned since becoming a permanent West Ham player. At 2 goals from 15 appearances last season that is £9.5m per goal so far or £1.2m per appearance.
In other news new signing Mauro Zarate lasted just 31 minutes on Wednesday night against Ipswich. Assistant manager Macca suggested he was not yet match fit saying “He’s a little bit behind in training with the little aches and pains he’s had, and we’ve had to be careful, so it’s good for him to come into a competitive game.” This is a guy who played a full season in Argentina. Again, at a reported £40k per week, let’s hope he will earn his way,
I am just hoping Enner Valencia can hit the ground running since he has just returned from the World Cup. At least he must be match fit.