World Cup 2006
Site Sponsored by William Hill
Profiles
23 Theo Walcott
- Position: Forward
- Born: 16.03.89
- Club: Arsenal
Last summer, Theo Walcott was sitting his GCSEs, hoping to collect some decent grades. This summer, he will be sitting on a plane to Germany, hoping to collect the World Cup for England. It is truly schoolboy stuff.
Walcott's shock selection by Sven-Goran Eriksson is, as the Swede admits, a calculated gamble. But there is no doubt the 17-year-old whizzkid is worth a bet.
Blessed with frightening pace, youthful exuberance, a silky touch and a willingness to learn, Walcott is a coach's dream and with Eriksson leaving the England job, this represents his last chance to have a throw of a dice. And what better legacy to leave to the nation than the discovery of a new hero?
Moving home at nine years of age, Walcott was brought up on the not-so mean streets of Compton, Berkshire (population 2000).
He had never really played football until some new friends at school got him kicking a ball around, but his talent was instantly obvious. Walcott scored 100 goals in 35 games for AFC Newbury's juniors and was first recruited by Swindon Town, where he spent half a season.
By now, at the age of 11, Walcott was in demand. Understandably, Chelsea were among those who came calling but guided by his astute father Don, they chose Southampton's Academy.
Walcott jnr progressed at an astonishing rate whilst still concentrating on his education, and in 2004, was playing for Saints reserves aged 15 and a half before coming to wider attention when he starred in the FA Youth Cup final.
Walcott became Saints' youngest-ever player when he made his Football League debut against Wolves in August 2005.
And after five goals in 22 senior appearances, he was signed by Arsenal for an initial £5million in January - but he is yet to make his Gunners debut, despite some lively displays for the reserves.
As Wayne Rooney's fitness is likely to be in doubt even after the tournament has begun, many will see Walcott as stepping into his shoes.
But the better comparison is probably with Argentina's Lionel Messi - two years older - who burst into the Barcelona first team at 17. Small in stature but delicately balanced, mild-mannered off the pitch but magical on it.
So often at World Cups, a star is born - this could be Theo's tournament.
