Beware of the new Drog: Joe Cole reckons Andy
Carroll can be even better than Chelsea star Didier
Drogba
Joe Cole has jumped on the Andy Carroll bandwagon
and hailed his Liverpool team-mate as the new
Didier Drogba - but reckons the England striker can be even
better.
Praise was heaped upon Carroll, 22, after he celebrated
his first international goal in only his second start during
Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Ghana at Wembley.
And Cole has likened the ex-Newcastle star's influence to that of
former Chelsea
colleague Drogba, insisting the £35million January recruit
has a very bright career ahead of him at Anfield.
'He’s very much like Didier Drogba,' said Cole, speaking
to LFC Weekly.
'Andy’s 22 - we all know what a cracking player Didier is,
but he wasn’t playing at this level at that age.
'There’s still a lot of developing for Andy to do so he
can get better and better.'
Carroll was the toast of England on Tuesday night, less
than 24 hours after England boss Fabio Capello had ordered him to
keep off the ale in pursuit of excellence.
Carroll scored his first international goal to fire
Capello's team into a first-half lead but Ghana levelled the
friendly in stoppage time with a brilliant solo effort from Asamoah
Gyan.
'I'm here and I'm ready to score goals if I'm picked,'
said Carroll, who was winning only his second England cap and
starting only his third game since 10 weeks out injured.
'It's great to be playing again,' he added.
Handy Andy: England boss fabio Capello was
delighted with Carroll's strike against Ghana
Capello took the Liverpool centre-forward aside at
the England camp to discuss the reputation he has quickly acquired
as a hard-drinking party animal and the Italian was reluctant to
shower praise on the striker, even after his goalscoring
display.
'Carroll scored a goal but needs more time to improve,'
said the England manager.
'He can improve a lot. He's a really important player and
it's important for the striker to score a goal.
'I remember him before he suffered injury problems. He ran
around a lot and would always fight. With the bigger players, it's
impossible to improve really quickly, like Aaron Lennon and Jack
Wilshere.'
Asked if Carroll would be allowed to celebrate his first
England goal with a beer, Capello replied: 'This is a question for
Kenny Dalglish.'
Red alert: Cole, who has struggled so far at
Liverpool, is determined to become a hit on Merseyside