Would Arsenal’s Walcott offer England anything as a centre-forward against Spain?
This evening’s international friendly against Spain at Wembley sees Theo Walcott most probably starting on the right side of midfield. Daniel Sturridge and Darren Bent look to be the pair of strikers chosen by England manager Fabio Capello but Walcott will still be wanting their position instead.
It is now common knowledge that the 22 year-old much prefers playing up-front, despite having the honour of being the player to have provided the most assists for Van Persie’s century of goals. It remains a mystery whether Walcott would be effective as a striker, missing several simple chances already this season as well as scoring a wonderful goal at Stamford Bridge.
Walcott has attempted to convince Arsène Wenger to give him a chance: “I believe I can give so much more to the team playing up front, with the runs I can make off the ball. And I just love hitting the back of the net as well… At times I feel a bit, if not wasted, then in and out of games on the right. I just want it more and more, having scored a few last season. I’m not a winger and I think plenty of people know that… I’ve done OK out there, but I’d love to play down the middle.”
The speedster looks to have lost this particular battle with Wenger but he might have more of a case with England. He played arguably his best international match as a winger, netting a hattrick in the 4-1 victory over Croatia in 2008, but it could be advantageous for Capello to give Walcott an opportunity as a striker in at least one of the friendlies during the international break. This evening’s match may be against world champions Spain, but the probable centre-back pairing of Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol is lacking in pace. Of course, the defenders’ strength and aerial power has the potential to overwhelm any player, but if Walcott uses his speed to the best of his ability – as he did so brilliantly against Chelsea – damage could be done.
Should Walcott be given an opportunity to prove himself as a striker for England or is he completely wrong in believing that he could play in such a role?
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I think he should be given a chance as England are playing poor anyway. At least at arsenal we have someone as class as RVP keeping him out of the only strikers role. Where as in England we have Bent, (I don’t rate internationally) Sturridge (Is playing well but I rather Walcott) and Rooney as the main players keeping him out of what is a 2 man strike force. I would love to see a Roon-cott pairing as Wayne is quality at passing!
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shut up walcort. Go and learn how to dribble and be clinical use it to complement your pace in the wings and you will be among the best. Alexis sanchez scored 50 goals in 90 matches for udinese in this same wing. Stop complaining you are not beean used as a winger rather a wing forward because arsenal play 433 and not 442
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wenger stil tryin to develop u much more,perhaps two r even three yrs for walcott to b in that role..when rvp on his 30′s already.then walcot b our nxt legend for few years there..chambo to b in the right..ok i gt it hw wenger does it.. haha bt walcott shud mkes an effort,improve himself..it is nt definetly a wing..it is also same as mesi role..or pedro role too..improve dribbling n so on..
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don’t think he’s strong enough to play in the middle in the premiere league and hes ever improving. Just 23 years old and will definately become a world class winger in near future
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@pun
he just turned 22
i would keep walcott on the right as the LB position is the weak link in the spain squad
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I wonder if the lad actually remembers how to play as a striker?
AW has had him on the wing for so long he has pretty much wrecked his career.
Another top class player that AW has insisted to play out of position. He was running riot as a striker for Southampton at the age of 16 so up front is where he should be.
Lets just hope he doesn’t play Chamberlain at CB.
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