Source: Daily_Mail
LEO'S LONDON: Four years on, Theo Walcott must now prove he's World Cup class
Theo Walcott is still considered a boy by many people in the game. At 20, he should have the best of his career in front of him. [LNB]However, if it is to continue to have an upward trajectory, if he is to fulfil his massive potential, the next few months will be crucial. [LNB]After several false starts, Arsenal and England are crying out for Walcott to finally find his feet at the top level physically.[LNB] Speedy: Theo Walcott is electric... when he's on the pitch[LNB] More from Leo Spall... LEO'S LONDON: Simon Jordan may have ruffled a few feathers, but the game will be duller without him13/01/10 LEO'S LONDON: Florent Malouda will get nowhere with his Frank talking - Lampard is Mr Chelsea06/01/10 LEO'S LONDON: Super Cesc proved he is Arsenal through and through30/12/09 LEO'S LONDON: Harry's handling of Christmas bash has been spot on22/12/09 LEO'S LONDON: It's time the FA came down hard on the likes of Benoit Assou-Ekotto 16/12/09 LEO'S LONDON: Forget Beckham, Milner and Wright-Phillips... Aaron Lennon is the right choice for England09/12/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEHe has been to one World Cup just for the ride. This year's finals in South Africa were supposed to provide the stage that announced him as world class. They still could if Walcott keeps Arsenal in the title race until the end of the season. [LNB]Yet for all the pace, skill and maturity he has shown for club and country, his body is still letting him down. Before Bolton on Wednesday, Walcott had managed just 10 appearances in all competitions, and six of those were from the bench. [LNB]He has suffered back, knee, hamstring and side injuries in another frustrating campaign for him and his club. Walcott started only 16 Premier League games last season after shoulder surgery decimated his playing prospects. [LNB]At Arsenal they have wondered about a link to his hereditary shoulder problems and resulting operations. But they don't seem to be a great deal closer to identifying the cause of his problems, and the club have one of the best medical departments in the business. [LNB]Walcott has worked hard to prevent injury by building his strength, with some visible success. He insists he is not injury prone, 'just unlucky', although cursed may be a better description. It is already 18 months since Arsene Wenger said he expected Walcott to make the next step up and gave him Thierry Henry's old squad number, No 14. [LNB] High hopes: Walcott poses after his call-up in 2006[LNB]The manager expected big things from the youngster and, if it wasn't for injury, he might have got them. Last summer Walcott said he hoped to play more regularly through the middle as a striker and was looking for 15 goals this time around. [LNB]How Arsenal could have done with him around more to do that. Fabio Capello might adopt the Wenger perspective, to consider it a bonus that Walcott is still 'fresh' after not playing too many games. [LNB]The England manager would love to have a player at his disposal in South Africa like the one who destroyed Croatia for him 16 months ago. But he will not take anyone with injury doubts or lacking match sharpness. [LNB]And if Walcott is to avoid the long-term burden of a reputation as talented but flawed, he needs to be fitter and stronger than ever.[LNB] Waiting game: Joe Cole[LNB]Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck is a smart lawyer by trade and seldom puts a foot wrong at Stamford Bridge. [LNB]But with Joe Cole's contract running out and talk of the midfielder looking toward pastures new as he seeks a whopping pay rise, Buck may have caused an awkward Curb Your Enthusiasm moment in the boardroom. [LNB]The American, who bears more than a passing resemblance to Larry David, answered a question from a fan on the club's TV channel thus: [LNB]Q: Can you give us any reassurances Joe Cole will not be leaving?[LNB] A: I can give you those reassurances. I am personally a big fan of Joe. [LNB]Presumably, he is also fanatical about authorising even bigger than normal pay cheques for Cole each month then.[LNB] Gianfranco Zola deserves the vote of confidence he has received from West Ham's new shareholders. [LNB]David Sullivan and David Gold, who now control the club, have promised to stand by him and referred to their record of patience with their appointments when they were Birmingham's owners. [LNB]Now they must see that thought as Zola has earned the right to stay as manager at least until the end of the season. If he keeps West Ham up, it ought to be a lot longer.[LNB] New boys: David Sullivan (left) and David Gold[LNB] The Italian has worked in an environment of uncertainty for most of his reign and not only has he remained dignified, but he has stuck to his and the club's traditional principles too. [LNB]The job turned out to be nothing like the one he was convinced to take and it is no surprise that he has considered quitting during his bumpy 16-month ride. [LNB]But Zola said last week that the confidence among his players has grown, the team appear to have turned a corner in their fight for survival and the evidence was there for all to see in the hard earned draw at Aston Villa. [LNB]
