Arsenal forward Theo Walcott should be England manager Fabio Capello's first-choice right winger for the World Cup this summer, according to former Liverpool ace Mark Lawrenson.
The pundit believes that the young Gunner is a more gifted player than either Tottenham Hotspur's Aaron Lennon or Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips, the other likely candidates for the position in South Africa.
“Theo Walcott still has to be Fabio Capello’s first choice right winger for this summer’s World Cup finals," Lawrenson told The Daily Mirror.
“That is not to say that Walcott doesn’t have a lot of work to do to get himself back into the England reckoning.
“But when Capello looks down the list at players for the right wing slot then Walcott at his best gets the nod ahead of the other contenders.
“David Beckham is stitched on in Capello’s mind because of his experience, quality and presence in the dressing room and on the pitch, even if he’s slightly more of a bit-part player for England.
"But Walcott is still the only player out of the other young pretenders who has delivered on the really big stage for England.
"That hat trick in Croatia during the qualifying campaign may have raised expectations on Walcott’s shoulders.
"But it also proved that he can do it for England when he’s in the spotlight and on the big occasion.
"Aaron Lennon has got bags of potential, has been having a great season for Tottenham and they have really missed him in recent weeks.
"Shaun Wright-Phillips has done OK for Manchester City while Ashley Young’s form has dipped alarmingly for Aston Villa this season."
Walcott has one other major advantage on his rivals as well, according to Lawrenson.
The Arsenal man can play through the middle as a striker if needed, and the Reds legend feels that could be the clinching factor as far as the World Cup is concerned.
"Walcott not only has a pace, an ability to hurt opposing defenders but he also has another big advantage over his rivals," Lawrenson added.
“Walcott can, if required, play through the middle. Capello could name him as one of five strikers and still allow himself Beckham and one other for the right. That’s a huge bonus for Walcott and England.
“Don’t be too hasty in writing off Walcott. Walcott has raw pace, Theo at the top of his game is better than Lennon, Young and Wright-Phillips and he’s shown he can handle the pressure cooker situations.
“Yes, he’s got plenty to do for the rest of the season. But big talents like him don’t disappear. There’s a lot in front of him and there’s time enough for the World Cup.”
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
