|
|
Former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate backs Theo Walcott to shine for Arsenal & England
Youngster will bounce back from criticism...
10 Mar 2010 18:08:00
By Zack Wilson
Arsenal winger Theo Walcott will prove himself a vital part of his club and country's future in time, believes former Middlesbrough manager and England defender Gareth Southgate.
Walcott came in for criticism after a disappointing display for England against Egypt last week, but Southgate feels that the player's potential is such that he can go on to prove himself at the highest level.
Walcott shined for Arsenal at the weekend against Burnley and on Tuesday evening against Porto in the Champions League.
Southgate feels that there is still plenty of competition in the wide areas when it comes to Fabio Capello's Three Lions squad for this summer's World Cup though.
"Theo is still a young player learning his trade. When you play for England the most difficult part is that every single time you touch the ball you are judged and analysed because the games are so sporadic at this time of year," Southgate told sport.co.uk.
"If you play for 60 minutes of a game, you might get twenty touches so everything you do with a ball is going to be scutinised. Dealing with that is one of the most important factors of being an England international – you have to be able to cope.
"He has good people with him at Arsenal who will be very supportive. He has a good family background and he certainly seems a smashing kid but he is a young player and young players will make mistakes and will have to continue to learn the game.
"The position he plays for England is the one where there is arguably the most competition. While we’re running out of full-backs and centre-backs, the two wide areas have Walcott, Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips, David Beckham, Ashley Young, Stewart Downing, Joe Cole – there is tremendous depth. At the moment Steven Gerrard [who usually plays in the centre] occupies one of those positions!
"After the Croatia qualifying game away from home [where Walcott grabbed a hat-trick] I think everybody assumed Theo would be a definite to go to the World Cup. However, he is still not playing regularly enough for Arsenal and that makes things difficult.
"He is still clearly somebody that Fabio Capello would like to take because we have all seen what he is capable of; his form between now and the end of the season will dictate what happens."
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
Walcott came in for criticism after a disappointing display for England against Egypt last week, but Southgate feels that the player's potential is such that he can go on to prove himself at the highest level.
Walcott shined for Arsenal at the weekend against Burnley and on Tuesday evening against Porto in the Champions League.
Southgate feels that there is still plenty of competition in the wide areas when it comes to Fabio Capello's Three Lions squad for this summer's World Cup though.
"Theo is still a young player learning his trade. When you play for England the most difficult part is that every single time you touch the ball you are judged and analysed because the games are so sporadic at this time of year," Southgate told sport.co.uk.
"If you play for 60 minutes of a game, you might get twenty touches so everything you do with a ball is going to be scutinised. Dealing with that is one of the most important factors of being an England international – you have to be able to cope.
"He has good people with him at Arsenal who will be very supportive. He has a good family background and he certainly seems a smashing kid but he is a young player and young players will make mistakes and will have to continue to learn the game.
"The position he plays for England is the one where there is arguably the most competition. While we’re running out of full-backs and centre-backs, the two wide areas have Walcott, Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips, David Beckham, Ashley Young, Stewart Downing, Joe Cole – there is tremendous depth. At the moment Steven Gerrard [who usually plays in the centre] occupies one of those positions!
"After the Croatia qualifying game away from home [where Walcott grabbed a hat-trick] I think everybody assumed Theo would be a definite to go to the World Cup. However, he is still not playing regularly enough for Arsenal and that makes things difficult.
"He is still clearly somebody that Fabio Capello would like to take because we have all seen what he is capable of; his form between now and the end of the season will dictate what happens."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
