The Return of Carlton Cole | Stats from 08/09 and 09/10
On the 22nd May of this year, it was announced that Carlton Cole would be released by West Ham in the summer. The striker reacted by tweeting “life is filled with ups and downs - today is a down, but I’ll be back” - a conventional footballer response to being released – not a claim that Cole expected to be at West Ham, let alone 5 months later.
With Andy Carroll scuppering to another injury that will rule him out …
West Ham's Forwards: Carlton Cole Vs Andy Carroll | Stats Comparison
West Ham were the second busiest club in the transfer window, bringing in high calibre players such as Mohamed Diame, Alou Diarra and Yossi Benayoun. But the deadline day signing of Andy Carroll could prove to be one of the biggest coups in modern football and there were many sports betting sites paying out to punters upon his arrival.
The acquisition of Carroll wasn't a desperate attempt to land a marquee signing – it was a calculated and intelligent move …