3. Andy Carroll
The ponytail/bun-wielding striker has played just eight games for West Ham United this season after suffering an ankle ligament injury during the summer recess. However, during that time the 25-year-old ex-England international has scored three goals as well as bagging one assist. Carroll has an excellent track record for winning aerial duels (65%) and shows strength in key passes and direct free-kicks as well as his first-rate defensive attributes. He is threatening when it comes to indirect set pieces though he’s not so good at holding onto the ball. Discipline-wise Carroll is able to hold his own – at least in as much as he commits fouls more often than he has fouls perpetrated against him. Per Mertesacker will have his job cut out for him, particularly in the continuing absence of his defence partner Laurent Koscielny.