SCENE.
Chelsea are trailing Barcelona by a goal as the clock ticks down in the second leg of their Champions League knockout tie. With Alvaro Morata's form still missing, Antonio Conte realises that he needs to change something. He gazes at his subs bench and has this conversation with himself.
'Willian changed a Premier League game against Liverpool a couple of months back, he might do it but isn't an out-and-out striker. Pedro could be an option against his old side, but is infuriatingly inconsistent. David Luiz...Michy Batshuyai...no real options. But wait, what's that at the end of the bench? Is that a giant, ponytail-sporting 'PLAN B'? That's what I'll do! I'll ram Barcelona into submission with Andy Carroll!'
This might actually happen, as Chelsea have approached West Ham with a view to signing Carroll. As speculation around such a crazy move mounts, Carroll's erstwhile Liverpool teammate Craig Bellamy has been heavily critical of Carroll's professionalism.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Bellamy claimed that some of Carroll's injuries were down to the fact he was not dedicated enough in looking after himself.
I wouldn't say [he was] laid-back.
He went to gym and felt stiff, then he felt that he didn't want to go to the gym anymore. Are his injuries part of that he doesn't look after himself? I felt that is always the case with Andy.
I just feel he doesn't have the mentality or drive to be a top player, to be at Chelsea levels or be at Liverpool for more than one season, and that's just what I've always felt with Andy.
I was surprised he was linked to Chelsea.
Bellamy was also critical of Carroll's game.
His strength is in the air, he's very difficult to deal with.
But, in general play, he's very difficult to link with, he doesn't see the game.
My conversations always with Andy were... I don't believe he worked hard enough during the week to be the player he wanted to become.
I never seen an inch of that, like with Jordan Henderson. He was going through a difficult period at that time as well, but he just trained and trained and trained, he kept improving, going to the gym.
He worked, and I knew, I remember saying to him, 'You're going to be a top player. I know it, just by your attitude, and the ability you have, it will come'.
I never felt that was going to be the case with Andy.
Liverpool perhaps could have anticipated that Carroll's attitude was less than exemplerary when he signed, given that he arrived with an injured knee....having fallen off a bar stool.
