It’s the same old story again. Deja Vu. Theo Walcott and Arsenal are once again at loggerheads over agreeing to new deal.
Walcott’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2015/16 season and already there has been a lot of speculation going on surrounding his future. The reason being, he has yet to commit his future at Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger has insisted that Arsenal have opened contract negotiations with Walcott, despite the England international denying such claims on Twitter recently.
Wenger told beIN Sport: “We have started to negotiate with Theo to extend his deal.”
Back in 2013, Arsenal faced similar problems in persuading Walcott to sign a new contract. He ran his contract down to final few months before signing a fresh three-and-a-half-year lucrative new deal.
On that occasion, Arsenal were desperate in securing his services. Not this time around. Although Wenger wants him to stay, but the Gunners can still do without him.
Walcott is a talented winger but he is far from a complete footballer. He has this blistering pace that leaves the opposition defenders uncomfortable with his direct runs, but at the same time he is nowhere near the class of some of his own team-mates, let alone other world class talents in Europe. Neither he possesses the craft and guile of Cazorla or Ozil, nor is he a complete winger/forward like Sanchez. Even Oxlade-Chamberlain seems more technically gifted than him.
His career has been blighted by injuries, and this season is no exception either where he just managed only eight appearances (three starts) and scored two league goals only.
Walcott has been recently linked with a move to Liverpool. Arsenal are seemingly interested in Liverpool’s young winger Raheem Sterling, while the Reds may look to Walcott as his natural replacement. Put it simply, a potential swap is being mooted.
I was a bit surprised to see Chelsea registering an interest in Walcott. The report probably carries weight since it has been reported by The Times, a trustworthy news media organisation in the country.
Chelsea need to bolster their squad in the summer, but strengthening the attacking midfield should be their least concern at the moment. Already they have the likes of Hazard, Willian, Oscar and Cuadrado in their ranks, it beggars belief to suppose the Blues need another player of similar type.
The Times journalist Matt Hughes wrote:
“The west London club are acutely conscious of their need to increase the number of home-grown players in their first team after the departures of Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole in recent years and signing Walcott would enable them to do that, as well as adding quality, versatility and experience to José Mourinho’s squad.”
Walcott is only 26, but it seems he’s been around for ages. He has made his England debut eight years back, and yet within this time has managed only 38 games for the Three Lions.
He is an eternal predicament. People tend to believe that Walcott has the potential to become a world class player, and yet he appalls regularly more than he appeases.
Do Chelsea really need Theo Walcott? Have your say below…
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