In thirteen career games against Chelsea, Andy Carroll has four goals. It certainly feels like he has a lot more than that, though perhaps that perception is biased by the fact that he scored in both league meetings last season, and his almost fate-changing performance in the 2011-12 FA Cup final (when he was still with Liverpool) was quite memorable.
Carroll’s at West Ham nowadays and remains a viable Premier League striker, when fit. The Hammers were sweating Carroll’s latest injury — he had been out with a groin injury after missing the first four months of the season with a knee problem — but according to co-chairman David Gold (why is he tweeting injury news?), the big man is fit and ready for selection.
Good morning everybody. Andy Carroll is fit and training with the first team squad and should be available for selection against Chelsea. dg pic.twitter.com/MPJozGE0HC
— David Gold (@davidgold) March 2, 2017
If Carroll’s fit, Azpilicueta will be facing yet another strong test, especially in the air.
While that may be concerning, one bit of good news for Chelsea is that leading goal scorer Michael Antonio will be suspended after picking up a silly second yellow card last weekend. Believing that he had been fouled, he tried to pick up the ball and stop play, but all he succeeded was getting sent off instead!
Chelsea don’t take on the Hammer until Monday however, so we have a few more days to twiddle our thumbs.