Everton today announced the signing of 28 year old England International Theo Walcott from Arsenal for a fee believed to be in the region of £20m. Theo has been at Arsenal since he made the £5m switch from Southampton in 2006. He netted 19 times last season and Big Sam will be hoping he can have an immediate impact at the Toffee’s, with the blues failing to register a shot on target in 2018.
Walcott is seen by the majority of Arsenal fans as a player who did well, but never quite hit the heights that he was destined for. The Speedy winger turns 29 in March and will be keen to get himself on the plane to Russia for the World Cup this summer. He was at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but has failed to feature at the finals for England since. 2018 in Russia would more then likely be the last World Cup that Theo is able to compete in, with him being 33 next time the tournament rolls around.
Theo has been interviewed by the club, and had this to say on his move. “I’m very ambitious and I’ve come here because I want the club to push to the next level,” Walcott said. “And with the players that have come in, I feel like the next level can be reached.
“I’m very excited to be starting a new chapter and I felt this was the right place for me to be. The manager is very ambitious and I feel like the club is going in the right direction … The club has won trophies but I want them to win trophies now. The manager is very hungry and it’s just what I need.”
After the departure of Kevin Mirallas to Olympiacos on loan for the rest of the season, It was vital that Everton found a replacement who is fit and ready to get in to first team action. West Brom at Goodison Park on Saturday is likely to see Theo and fellow new boy Cenk Tosun make their first appearances for Everton at Goodison as the blues desperately need to pick up the three points to keep tabs on Leicester.
The Everton attack is really starting to take shape with the welcome return of Yannick Bolasie, coupled with the recent additions of both Tosun and Walcott. With the likes of Rooney and Gylfi behind the front three, as well as the Attacking options we will have available on the bench, Evertonians should start to see a steady increase in the amount of shots on target, as well as goals scored.
Do you think Theo is the man for Everton, be sure to let us know in the comments!