Re-signing Andy Carroll would be a “gamble” for Newcastle United, but one that could bring back a “feel-good factor” to the club, according to Darren Bent.
The 6’4″ colossus [Transfermarkt] has been without a club since leaving West Ham earlier this summer, and has been linked with a return to Tyneside, according to the Telegraph.
The striker initially left his boyhood club to join Liverpool in 2011.
And Sky Sports pundit Bent believes that there could be real benefits to taking him back to the north east.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “It would be one for the fans, it would bring back the feel-good factor I guess.
“He did really well up there, it’s a risk and a gamble. He’s never really had a real full season where he’s not missed a few games through injury, the last few seasons he’s barely played because he’s been injured a lot.
“Maybe if they can do a pay-as-you-play, that might be a good option for them and he might be happy to do that being back at home, local lad, boy done good.”
OPINION
You can understand where Darren Bent is coming from on this one, but all things considered, re-signing Carroll would be far too much of a risk to take, even on a Bosman. The lanky striker did fantastically well with his boyhood club prior to his move to Liverpool, and if they were getting the player he was in 2010/11, when he averaged 3.9 shots per game and 7.1 aerial duels won per match [Whoscored] then it would be an absolute no brainer. Now, however, injuries have really taken their toll on the target man, and last season for West Ham, in just 12 Premier League appearances, he managed just 1.2 shots per game and 3.8 duels won. In short, he is a show of his former self, and even though it would be a nice story, the Toon Army cannot afford any sentimentality this summer.
