WEST HAM BOSS Slaven Bilic described Andy Carroll as “a really brave man” after the striker was targeted by would-be armed robbers.
Reports emerged late on Wednesday that the England international had been confronted by two motorcyclists, one of whom brandished a gun, as he drove home from training.
The 27-year-old is understood to have driven off at speed to escape the assailants, who initially gave pursuit, before he alerted authorities after returning to the club’s training ground.
West Ham confirmed on Thursday that the matter was in the hands of the Metropolitan Police Service, and Bilic has praised the way that Carroll reacted during the ordeal.
“He’s good – I just spoke to him about what happened. It’s scary but he’s okay,” Bilic, whose side face Stoke City on Saturday, told a news conference.
When we heard it yesterday of course we were all shocked. Sometimes you hear that happen in a foreign country but it’s happening far away and not England so we were all like: ‘Here? In London? England? How is that possible?’ Unfortunately it is a problem.
“I spoke to Andy, he was brave because they asked for his watch or whatever with a gun and he put the pedal down and he didn’t want to give him the watch, so for me it’s not about the watch but for me that’s very brave.’
He was probably targeted. He got chased for 15-20 minutes it wasn’t like 10 seconds so it was probably planned, I know that and he was very brave to do what he did. He came back to the training ground and it stopped.
“He’s good, he’s okay, he’s not in shock and he acted as a really brave man. We’re all asking him the questions about it and he’s smiling. He’s not in a state of shock.”
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TAA, Why waste €100m on Nantes? You could have immediate success with Dundalk for much less – a €10m investment would have them winning the league for years to come. And its just 20 min on a flight to Dublin then 45min up the M1!!!!!
Ah the rich and famous
@Shawn: The bit of heat this weather is having an awful effect on lads.
@Shawn: At the rate they’re pulling comments out, it’ll be just yourself left.
@Ray Ridge: Ah im happy enough
Unlikely enough to happen but what would be the story with conflict of interest if Liverpool were to play Nantes?
On a separate note, he seems to be business-savvy which I hadn’t expected.
@ecrowley ecrowley: not sure I’d love one of my star players having such a keen interest in another club either tbh
@ecrowley ecrowley: his uncle was a director at United for yrs but sure what does that count for
@Declan O Connor: He was a plant. Mission accomplished!
What a player
@Dan: eh no. a defender who cant actually defend. go figure.
@Niall English: NOt the best defender but everything else he is world class . GO FIGURE.
@Dan: what is the primary role of a defender?
@Niall English: Will you stop, superb player.
@ecrowley ecrowley: possibly best crosser of the ball in world football and great when the game is in front him but can be targeted by other teams when defending and not accomplished enough in midfield…yet
@Phil: I think a lot of his defensive frailties come from the high line that Klopp insisted on so I don’t fully hold him at fault. And sure, there are better defenders but on the whole I think he’s a super baller. World class even.
I know he’s well paid but how the jesus does he have €100m to invest in anything???
Might be waiting on mega sign on bonus at Real Madrid as ‘proof of funds’. Hopefully not