Post by onloantodiv1 on May 16, 2006 18:59:42 GMT 1
Sven Goran Eriksson publicly dismissed Theo Walcott's chances of playing in this summer's World Cup less than two months before stunning football by naming the 17-year-old in his squad for Germany.
The England coach made an appearance at Harrow School on March 10 and agreed to a question-and-answer session with the students.
When Eriksson was asked for his opinion of Walcott, he replied: "I think he is very fast, has great potential and a style that is very similar to Thierry Henry. But it is way too early for him, this World Cup."
Eriksson had never even watched the Arsenal striker train when he gave his expert assessment of his strengths.
The 23 names submitted by Eriksson to FIFA yesterday afternoon were the same as those he originally named at London's Cafe Royal last week.
Walcott, as the youngest and most inexperienced member of the party, will wear the No 23 shirt. Eriksson will hope to learn more about Walcott now that the England squad are in Portugal, the majority of the players having arrived with their families for a week-long training camp last night.
In an interview with French newspaper L'Equipe, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger suggested that Eriksson had the courage to take a chance on Walcott because he will be moving on after the tournament. "After the World Cup it is finished for Eriksson, so he can take a risk," he said. Sir Alex Ferguson repeated his plea for England not to use Wayne Rooney unless he is fully fit.
The United boss revealed that Rooney has endured unpleasant sessions in an oxygen chamber but said: "It is important for the boy not to go there half fit and not do himself justice. 'People think we are being selfish but Wayne is the most important player at this football club."
The England coach made an appearance at Harrow School on March 10 and agreed to a question-and-answer session with the students.
When Eriksson was asked for his opinion of Walcott, he replied: "I think he is very fast, has great potential and a style that is very similar to Thierry Henry. But it is way too early for him, this World Cup."
Eriksson had never even watched the Arsenal striker train when he gave his expert assessment of his strengths.
The 23 names submitted by Eriksson to FIFA yesterday afternoon were the same as those he originally named at London's Cafe Royal last week.
Walcott, as the youngest and most inexperienced member of the party, will wear the No 23 shirt. Eriksson will hope to learn more about Walcott now that the England squad are in Portugal, the majority of the players having arrived with their families for a week-long training camp last night.
In an interview with French newspaper L'Equipe, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger suggested that Eriksson had the courage to take a chance on Walcott because he will be moving on after the tournament. "After the World Cup it is finished for Eriksson, so he can take a risk," he said. Sir Alex Ferguson repeated his plea for England not to use Wayne Rooney unless he is fully fit.
The United boss revealed that Rooney has endured unpleasant sessions in an oxygen chamber but said: "It is important for the boy not to go there half fit and not do himself justice. 'People think we are being selfish but Wayne is the most important player at this football club."
