Andy Carroll - Best Striker in the World

[RedReet]

Bad news


Can he still "refuse" to go?



He's better off this way anyways.

He said he wanted to play in it, did he not?

It could work in our favour and have him sharp for the start of the season. He's basically had a few months rest anyway so starting the season early shouldn't pose too much of a problem.

[Exiled_red]

In fairness that's quite a strong under 21 squad, if they can keep the big names from pulling out.

[spud_gun]

Stuart Pierce is a prick.

Trying to boost his CV by including the likes of Carroll and Wilshire in his 'under 21' squad.

[Mostar]

He said he wanted to play in it, did he not?

It could work in our favour and have him sharp for the start of the season. He's basically had a few months rest anyway so starting the season early shouldn't pose too much of a problem.

My concern is that he could get injured and that could seriously mess up our next season plans.

[Kenneth]

It will be good experience for him. Could get injuring in pre-season games, or training etc. Playing games at a decent level is what younger players should be doing imo.

[Mostar]

It will be good experience for him. Could get injuring in pre-season games, or training etc. Playing games at a decent level is what younger players should be doing imo.

He and we imo have much more to lose than gain from him attending this tournament.

Sure he can get injured in pre-season games and/or training but the intensity and probability of serious injuries is not nearly as high as playing competitive football at any level.

There is a reason why quality players like Messi, Ronaldo or Gerrard rarely played for U21 team.

I personally would like him to focus the summer only on our club pre-season preparations.

[Pablo]

It will be good experience for him. Could get injuring in pre-season games, or training etc. Playing games at a decent level is what younger players should be doing imo.

He's missed a big chunk of the season anyway so I think playing more games is exactly what he needs.

Anyway England are England and we'll choke in this tournament and get knocked out early doors anyway so it's all good

On a side note though Wilshere is another matter: Wenger has chronically overplayed him this season IMO and he will pay the price with injuries soon enough. Seen it time and time again with young players, you can't overplay them like that.

[EwarWoo]

There is a reason why quality players like Messi, Ronaldo or Gerrard rarely played for U21 team.

Because by the time they're in the right age group they're already full internationals?

[The_weatherman]

Very short sighted IMO. Next summer he'll be busy playing in the Euro's so he wont get a summer off until 2013. I think players who count as senior internationals should not be involved in these tournaments, at least for the big nations who are regularly involved in big tournaments. Can lead to burn out later in their careers.

[RedReet]

He and we imo have much more to lose than gain from him attending this tournament.

Sure he can get injured in pre-season games and/or training but the intensity and probability of serious injuries is not nearly as high as playing competitive football at any level.

There is a reason why quality players like Messi, Ronaldo or Gerrard rarely played for U21 team.

I personally would like him to focus the summer only on our club pre-season preparations.

Not saying I would prefer him to play, only saying that if he does then it could work to our advantage.

[Daniel 7]

Anything international does my nut in, especially meaningless tripe like an under 21 tournament. I don't care about the English national side in the future and how well they might do 6 years down the line - I care about record signings with questionable fitness records being used for another team and suffering long term injury. He's overaged anyway - why don't they use someone who actually is under 21. Its a joke.

[Kenneth]

Very short sighted IMO. Next summer he'll be busy playing in the Euro's so he wont get a summer off until 2013. I think players who count as senior internationals should not be involved in these tournaments, at least for the big nations who are regularly involved in big tournaments. Can lead to burn out later in their careers.

Ignoring the ridiculous fee, Andy Carroll has done pretty much **** all in his career to date. He may not be in the full squad for the euros. He still needs to establish himself as a top player so I want to see him play competitive games against good players and train with different coaches. It should help him develop into a better player an I'll be happy to see him go.

Is there any actual evidence of 'burn out' in later years?

[Daniel 7]

Owen and Torres to name but two.

[Kenneth]

I don't think that's really evidence. Could suggest that they are both players who need to utilise their pace. Such athletes probably suffer more from injuries an their bodies degrade in important areas. Possibly/probaby nothing to do with playing an extra half dozen games at the age of 19/20.

[Neil Young]

OK, so the methodology here is to ask a loaded question and then rule out cases cited by others that contradict rather than confirm the original hypothesis, is it?