Carlton Cole is one of the most divisive characters to grace Upton Park in recent years. Signed from Chelsea in 2006 after a journeyman existence of loan moves whilst contracted to the west London club, Cole struggled to establish himself in the West Ham side before Gianfranco Zola took charge of the team, when he began to flourish. But since the Italian’s departure earlier this year, the 27 year-old appears to have regressed, and with Cole, as well as many fans, unhappy with the state of affairs at the club, is it time for West Ham to cash in?
There was plenty of interest from Anfield for the striker back in the summer, but all advances were respectfully declined in east London. However, with Cole’s outburst that he felt he has been ‘starved’ in Avram Grant’s defensive formation, perhaps it is time for West Ham to listen to any overtures for the striker in January. After the Liverpool game Cole said;
‘That was diabolical. We didn’t even turn up. We had lost the game in the first 10 minutes, psychologically anyway. I had just one cross. Apart from that I had nothing and, as a striker, that’s starvation, that’s famine. What am I supposed to work on?’
With Cole clearly frustrated with his manager and team mates, Avram Grant rather surreptitiously laid the finger of blame squarely at Cole;
‘Some players, when they don’t perform well and are a little bit disappointed with themselves, say some things,’
So with life running anything but smoothly at Upton Park, dissenting voices are the last thing the club needs, and as chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan are all too willing to note, the club’s finances are also not in great shape. With Cole’s price-tag apparently being around £10m in the summer, if those kinds of offers come in for the striker in January, West Ham surely won’t be able to resist.
After grabbing a couple of goals in the demolition of Manchester United in the Carling Cup last week, Cole once again came to the fore, but perhaps only served to up his asking price in January, especially after once again disappointing, and looking vaguely disinterested, having been given a starting place ahead of Frederic Piquionne in Sunday’s match against Sunderland.
All these factors conspire to leave the door wide open for a January exit, and judging by the mood of some around Upton Park, there won’t be too many tears if he goes.
