Five Andy Carroll replacements for West Ham to consider

One of the first player’s you associate with ‘injury plagued’ would undoubtedly be Andy Carroll.

West Ham’s record signing had a positive start to the 2014/2015 campaign, winning 110 of his aerial duels, more than any other player, after playing just 12 games at the start of the campaign.

However, the former Newcastle United frontman has mustered just 16 appearances in the famous claret and blue shirt since his permanent switch to Upton Park from Liverpool last summer.

Once more, based on his £15m transfer fee, ‘Big Andy’ has cost the Hammers £7.5m for every goal he has scored, making him the most expensive striker per goal in Premier League history, managing to beat former Chelsea’s £50m flop Fernando Torres.

With Carroll only managing to return to light pre-season training after another hefty spell on the treatment table and the East Londoners potentially contending with more games ahead of the 2015/2016 season, it’s highly unlikely that the 26-year-old will last the whole season once again.

So on that note, here are five possible replacements Slaven Bilic should consider…

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Loic Remy

Despite being used to warm the Stamford Bridge substitute’s bench, Chelsea forward Remy is always someone you can count on for goals.

After becoming prolific at the likes of QPR, Newcastle United and to a certain degree Chelsea, it has resulted in the 28-year-old notching 27 goals in 61 games in England’s top flight.

That type of goalscoring prowess that is unwanted at his current club should definitely not go unnoticed and it’s surprising that more clubs are not looking into the possibility of snapping up the French international’s signature.

Blessed with tremendous footwork, as well as being affective in aerial duels, it would be unsurprising if Carroll is sent back to the North East and replaced by Remy.
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Charlie Austin

 Arguably QPR’s best player despite relegation back to the Championship, Austin’s 18 Premier League goals, making him the second highest English goal scorer and fourth overall, has made the recent England international the most sought after striker in this summer’s transfer window, and West Ham are right in the mix for him.

The stocky built former Burnley frontman, who only seven years ago was a builder and played for non-league minnows Poole Town on a part time basis, could potentially be playing European football. In that space of time that is a remarkable achievement.

Would the 25-year-old be the perfect replacement for Carroll in his hope of a return to top flight English football?
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Bas Dost

 Many thought the tall Dutchman would be on the move to Newcastle United early in the summer transfer window, but unsurprisingly quickly turned Steve McClaren’s men down.

Standing at an incredible 6”5, Dost has scored a respectable 96 goals in 212 games for the likes of Dutch sides FC Emmen, Heracles and Heerenveen as well as his current club Wolfsburg of Germany. That kind of goal scoring record speaks for itself.

Whether or not the 26-year-old can cut it in the toughest league in the world, however, with his height, strength and eye for goal, there is no doubt he could become a better option than Carroll.
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Dame N’Doye

Despite his short four month stint in England, N’Doye has proved that he can cut with the best defenders in the Premier League.

Five league goals in 15 games has seen the 30-year-old attract some attention for a return to the top flight after failing to save Hull City from the drop.

However, his staggeringly high wage demands of £50,000-70,000-a-week for any Premier League club interested in buying could prove to be a stumbling block. I

s the Senegalese forward worth it, or would Slaven Bilic be better off sticking with Carroll?
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Aleksander Mitrovic

For many who may not have heard of Mitrovic, signing this Serbian prodigy would be one of the coups of the transfer window and has realistic potential of becoming one of the most prolific strikers in the world.

The 20-year-old’s record of 36 goals in 69 games since 2013 for current club Anderlecht is outstanding considering his age.

Remember the last time West Ham signed a player from Anderlecht? Yes, Chiekhou Kouyate has now become a firm fans favourite and Mitrovic definitely has the quality to be the same.

Selling Carroll to raise funds for a move Mitrovic might seem risky to many but it is definitely something West Ham should at least consider.