Dan Sheldon of The Athletic has been discussing the role of recent Southampton signing Theo Walcott in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side during an episode of the Headline podcast centred around the winger’s recent move.
More than 14 years after having left the club for Arsenal, Walcott returned to the south coast on a season-long loan deal from Everton on transfer deadline day.
When discussing what the player’s role might be at the club, here is what the Southampton correspondent had to say:
“It’ll be an interesting one. From conversations I’ve had, it sounds as though he’s going to be able to provide cover for the likes of Stuart Armstrong, Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo – as well as also providing experience to the likes of Djenepo and a young player they’ve got, Nathan Tella. Walcott’s been there and done it in the Premier League, I’m sure he’s got plenty of tales to tell and those two will probably soak in what he’s got to say.
“There’s also, again, the experience factor, where if he is on the bench and say Southampton are winning, you know that you can bring him on and he’ll help close out games, he’s been there and done it in that sense.
“Aside from playing in the kind of winger role, if needs be, he can play as a striker as well, which is another string to his bow. Obviously, Southampton have got Danny Ings and Che Adams starting up front at the moment, but Walcott seems like a versatile player who can really play across the front, on the wing or up top. That’s where I see him sitting – whether he’d be a regular starter or not, I don’t think so at this stage.”
Do you expect Walcott to be a starter at Southampton?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts…
Prior to leaving Southampton in 2006, the Englishman made 22 appearances for the club, scoring five goals (as per Transfermarkt) and having returned at least until the end of the season, we can assume both the player and the fans will be hoping he adds to that tally.