Source: Daily_Mail
Southampton kid Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain favours move to champions Chelsea
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlainclearly isn't asuperstar yet. [LNB]There may bemany distractions on aSaturday night, but heprefers to be tucked up athome watching himself onThe Football LeagueShow. [LNB]But by the end of the month,he could be tuning in earlier tocheck out Match of the Day. [LNB] Flying: Chamberlain celebrates scoring against Oldham[LNB]Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal,Manchester City and ManchesterUnited are among a host ofclubs pondering a January movefor Southampton's latestacademy prospect. [LNB]Sportsmail understands amove to Stamford Bridge theclub he supported as a boy isChamberlain's preference. [LNB]And the £10million-rated17-year-old will plead withofficials at St Mary's not tostand in his way if the chance tojoin a top-flight club becomes areality this month. [LNB]If Chamberlain is not a householdname yet, that looksdestined to change. When hemade his debut last season,aged 16 years and 199 days, hebecame the second-youngestfirst-team player for Southampton,behind only Theo Walcott. [LNB]Father figure: Mark Chamberlain (left) during his England days[LNB]He has played 28 times andscored seven goals this seasonin Southampton's drive forpromotion back to the Championship. [LNB]His latest strike was theopener in their 6-0 win atOldham on Tuesday, where hewas watched by ManchesterUnited boss Sir Alex Fergusonand Liverpool's director of footballstrategy Damien Comolli. [LNB]Having made his debut forEngland Under 18s againstPoland in November, FAdirector of football developmentTrevor Brooking has alreadyidentified him as aninternational star of the future. [LNB]The midfielder takes his namefrom former England and Stokewinger Mark Chamberlain, andmother Wendie Oxlade. [LNB]His dadhas no fears for the new-foundfame.[LNB] 'You see some of theseyoung boys nowadays who areon big contracts, earning 'X'amount of pounds, acting likethey have made it,' he said.[LNB]'I wouldn't like it if Alex was togo down that route, I wouldn'tbe too pleased at all. He's fineat the moment but we will keepan eye on that. [LNB]'He likes to read about himselfin the papers, and likeswatching himself on theFootball League Show. [LNB]'But he is a level-headed boy.After games he doesn't like thefuss, he just wants to leave theground and meet his mates.' [LNB]Glenhurst School playingfields, in Havant, was whereChamberlain showed fledglingsigns of the talent that has seenthe Premier Leagues elite reachfor their chequebooks. [LNB]He was still in junior schoolwhen he joined Southamptonas an eight-year old, but it wasin his early teens that Alexstarted showing professionalpromise. [LNB]Comparisons with fellowSaints academy graduateWalcott are unavoidable. Hiselectric pace has already leftmany a full back on theirbacksides. [LNB]But where Walcottoften fails to deliver, is there anend produce with Chamberlain? [LNB] Likeness: Oxlade-Chamberlain has been compared to Theo Walcott[LNB]'It's nice being pretty on theball, but if you don't have theend product then it's a waste oftime,' said Chamberlain Snr,who has coached his son andWalcott during his stint as ayouth coach at Southampton. [LNB]'His ability to cross the ball isgood and he already has sevengoals this season. He needs towork on getting more assists. [LNB]'I said at the start of theseason that I rate him morehighly than Walcott andeveryone looked at me funny. [LNB] Give us a wave: Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti could be saying hello to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain[LNB]'But I've worked with both,they have their assets andattributes. But as an all-roundtechnical player Alex has moreto offer.' [LNB]For the cynics who suspect atouch of bias in the assessment,Saints team-mate DannyButterfield has another take. [LNB]'He's got very quick feet and isexplosive off the mark, hedelivers a good final ball and hes cor e s goals, ' said theexperienced defender. [LNB]'From where he is now to whatI'd imagine Theo Walcott waslike at 17, I'd say Alex is far moreadvanced.'[LNB] Chelsea favourites to land Saints' £10m-rated starlet Oxlade-ChamberlainLiverpool to battle Man United for £10m-rated starlet Oxlade-ChamberlainStoke join queue for Southampton whizkid Oxlade-Chamberlain[LNB][LNB] Explore more:People: Theo Walcott Places: United Kingdom
