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Theo Walcott during a training camp last Tuesday in North London ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan on Saturday. PIC/AFP |
Two years down the line, Walcott is not just a serious contender for the starting XI, but praises for him are coming from all quarters.
The latest one and the biggest has come from England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who believes the Arsenal forward is a combination of Michael Owen and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Strong position
Walcott's hat-trick in England's glorious 4-1 victory over Croatia has put the side in a strong position in their World Cup qualifying group, even after just two matches.
"Theo knows what he's good at," Ferdinand told The Telegraph. "And Michael Owen was exactly the same," Ferdinand, who is expected to lead England in tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan because of an injury to John Terry, said.
"I was with Michael the whole time at the 1998 World Cup in France and he knew that he was a good player and what he was good at," Ferdinand said.
"That was the thing about Michael Owen, at that time especially he was quick, direct and could score a goal and that's what you could see from him."
"You are seeing the same with Theo now. They're different players, but have the same mentality. When you've got a player with Theo's sort of pace and his eye for making runs, then sometimes it does not matter what you put in front of them.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is the same. If these players see an opening they are quick enough to get through it and not get caught," Ferdinand said.
"It is about him making the right decisions on a football pitch. Every time I see him on TV he is making the right decision, he is playing his part and setting-up a lot of goals and getting on a lot of things himself. If he can continue to do that it will be good."
With all the attention that Walcott is receiving, there is a danger that he may become a target for opposition defenders.
Ferdinand, however, has warned opponents that such tactics will only help England.
"It's easy to say he is not going to get any space. But if you put two players on him then others will be left one-on-one. Against Croatia, it wasn't as if he had loads and loads of time and space in the game. He just dealt with what was put in front of him."
