Why Southampton should sign Theo Walcott on a permanent basis
According to Daily Mail, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is said to be open to the idea of keeping Theo Walcott on a permanent basis.
The Englishman rejoined his boyhood club on loan from Everton at the start of the season and has enjoyed a successful spell so far. Hasenhuttl was happy with the player’s attitude and form and he sees no reason as to why Walcott shouldn’t stay at St. Mary’s longer.
Profile
Very much a household name in English football, Theo Walcott doesn’t require much of an introduction to the followers of the beautiful game across the globe. The fleet-footed winger rose through the youth ranks of Southampton and became the club’s youngest debutant at the age of just 16 before departing for Arsenal in 2006.
Walcott came through the door at Arsenal as an exciting prospect and was gradually transformed into one of the most devastating wingers in the Premier League by the charismatic Arsene Wenger.
The Stanmore-born attacker went on to plunder an astonishing 108 goals and 78 assists in 398 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions, winning two FA Cup titles over the course of 12 illustrious years in North London.
The 31-year-old joined Everton back in January 2018 but struggled to produce his best. Walcott’s underwhelming spell at Goodison Park saw him register just 11 goals and 9 assists in 85 appearances across all competitions.
Currently, he is on loan at Southampton for the season. A full international for England since 2006, Walcott has scored 8 goals in 47 appearances and represented the Three Lions at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012.
Southampton would be making the right decision in keeping Walcott on a permanent basis
It almost seemed poetic that Theo Walcott scored for his boyhood club against the club that shot him to stardom. He netted the only goal for Southampton as Arsenal were held to another draw. Southampton are enjoying one of their best ever seasons as they sit high up the table.
Theo Walcott has featured in 8 games for them so far, scoring and assisting 2 goals each. Walcott might have struggled to deliver the goods at Everton but at 31, he still has a few good years left in him.
Southampton currently lack a specialist right-winger in their ranks, with the likes of Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond more efficient when operating down the left. The 31-year-old Walcott is an orthodox right-winger and adds some cutting edge and dynamism to Southampton’s attack.
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Southampton have blooded plenty of top-quality footballers in their academy but very few of them have come back to represent their boyhood club.
The emotional aspect of Theo Walcott’s fairytale return to St. Mary’s has somewhat overshadowed the true value of the deal in a footballing sense. Theo Walcott has come full circle at Southampton and it’s only fair that the club try to make his deal permanent.
