The Walcott show must go on

Last updated : 13 November 2005 By Chris C

In the past week the 16 year old has been linked with Chelsea, Arsenal and even Real Madrid with the proposed fee rising by the article. Walcott made his decision to sign for Saints in the summer with his family and representatives recognising that the Saints academy was the best place for the youngster to learn the game.

Their faith has been repaid with an earlier than expected progression into the first team. The lower profile of the Championship had ensured that Walcott had been spared much of the hype and publicity that Wayne Rooney had to endure at Everton. Perhaps it was inevitable that his goal-scoring run would start creating headlines in the nationals.

I sat in the press conference after the Stoke game and two thirds of the questions were about Theo after his third goal in three games. How good was he going to be? Had their been any offers? How long can you keep him? A non-plused looking Harry repeated his standard answers about protecting him and being in the best place to learn the game.

You wonder quite how Walcott himself deals with all the pressure. Fortunately, he is a very level headed young man with a supportive family around him who recognise that progression as a professional footballer is not about chasing the biggest cheque book on offer.

Yes, if he progresses to his full potential then a big money move beckons somewhere down the line, but only when he and Saints are ready. As Harry himself says: “He would not play for Chelsea. He is better off where he is because he is playing every week and learning the game.”

As with the Woodward appointment, Saints have shown a united front in combating the less than helpful stories of a media baying for a ‘next big thing’ transfer story.

Along with Redknapp’s comments, Rupert Lowe got in on the act: "We have not had an approach - it is someone just playing games. We don't want to sell him and he is very happy here. I spoke to his father before yesterday's game and he is very pleased with the way things are going."

Saints even wheeled out captain Nigel Quashie to add to the chorus: "He is going to be a top, top player but he is still learning the game and the media should leave him alone and let him get on with it. To be fair, he is at the best possible club right now and under the best possible manager for looking after youngsters.”

It may seem hypocritical to add to the hype with this article, but this week’s story about the Real Madrid ‘link’ deserved a response. It was indicative of the drip, drip release of comments from agents and hangers-on designed to keep a story going. Real Madrid’s interest, genuine or not, was way back in the summer, but the Real Madrid comment accredited to Colin Gordon of his management company, Key Sports, allows the story to run for another day.

Inevitably, as Theo continues to progress there will be a new raft of stories and denials in the January transfer window and then again in the summer when he will finally turn 17 and can earn professional wages rather than the £80 a week he is supposed to be currently on.

Saints can only hope that they can protect him from the worst of the expectation and speculation to allow him to develop at his own quite considerable pace. He needs a consistent strike partner to take the pressure off him and allow him to be rested on a more regular basis.

This is a major dilemma as none of the other strikers have been able to find the net on a regular basis. The one who might be able to, Marian Pahars, is not only unfit, but also would make an unlikely little and little partnership, meaning it would be difficult to retain and win the ball up front given the very physical style of defending in this league.

Until that strike partner is found, the Walcott show must go on.