Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes that Theo Walcott is now at a time when he may struggle to get opportunities with the England national team.
Up until now, Walcott was seen as the future of the next England team. This view has not materialised as many would have hoped. This is due to a combination of poor form, lack of playing time, and frequent injuries that the player has suffered in the last decade. Walcott created a huge buzz after being included in the 2006 World Cup squad, but he has remarkably been unable to play in a major tournament until now.
Walcott has missed most of the tournaments – including the World Cup 2014 – due to long-term injuries. Redknapp feels that the winger is coming to a time when he may no longer be seen as the first choice pick whenever he is fit. This is due to the emergence of a number of youngsters like Dele Alli and Ross Barkley. The situation could only get worse as the years progress. The World Cup 2018 is realistically seen as the only hope for Walcott to feature as a prominent player for the England national team. Walcott is likely to be included in the squad for the Euro 2016 by Roy Hodgson.
“I’ve always liked Theo as a player but he’s at the crossroads now and needs to start producing on a regular basis. He doesn’t even get in the Arsenal team nowadays – at Old Trafford the other week I thought he’d murder that United defence but he barely got a kick.He’s useful as an impact player but players like Alli and Barkley have flown past him and are threatening to leave him out in the cold,” said the former Tottenham boss, who has just become the football advisor at Derby County.
