Andy Gray on Andy Carroll
A big, old-fashioned centre forward leads the Premier League's scoring charts so should he be in the England team? We asked Andy Gray for his thoughts
Andy Carroll has started the season very well but I am resisting the temptation to go overboard about his qualities. He needs to keep learning the game and watch what he does off the field. He has what it takes to be a first class striker but plenty of young players have had the potential to make the step up and failed.
Personally, I am excited to see a big, physical, old-fashioned centre forward succeeding in the Premier League. Carroll won't score every week and he will have dry patch but if he can get 20 to 25 goals a season then he will be elevated to the first rank of strikers.
I believe Fabio Capello should definitely pick him for England's friendly against France. He has plenty of Under 21's caps and promotion to the first team is a natural progression for Carroll.
I disagree with those who say he should be left out because of his off the field problems. Do you want a holier than thou England squad? I don't think that's realistic these days and if Capello only wanted to select goody goodies there probably wouldn't be anyone available to play for England. It would be like saying Tony Adams should not have played for his country after he spent time in prison for drink driving or that Alan Shearer should have been excluded for kicking Neil Lennon in the head. It is very difficult for young players nowadays, they are under immense scrutiny with people sticking cameras in their faces every time they go out.
It is nonsense to say that Carroll should be discarded because of his conduct away from football. Fabio Capello has the opportunity to educate him, to explain to him what is required of an international player. It would be a waste of Carroll's talent if Capello was not to pick him.
Published: 13 Nov 2010
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