Everton have completed the transfer of Theo Walcott from Arsenal in a deal worth more than £20m.
Walcott, 28, has agreed a 3.5yr deal to become Sam Allardyce’s second signing of the January transfer window following the £27m paid for striker Cenk Tosun from Besiktas.
The move brings to an end Walcott’s 12-year stay at Arsenal, where he scored 108 goals in 397 appearances.
Player Profile via Tom Ferguson
Walcott has managed to net 113 times in 421 club games, a record that annihilates any of the current wingers at the football club. The speedster has accumulated 47 England caps – picking up eight goals in that time. He made his Three Lions bow in 2006 as a 17-year-old but hasn’t featured since 2016.
He played for 19 minutes under Allardyce during his one game stint as England boss.
Predominantly a wide man, though he has been known to lead the line for Arsenal, Walcott stands at just 5ft9.
Would @theowalcott improve Everton's starting 11? pic.twitter.com/Hi2Y4ocrAi
— GrandOldTeam (@grandoldteam) January 16, 2018
Despite coming off the back of a 19-goal haul last season (his best bagging was 21 in 2012/13), he has had to settle for a bit part role this campaign, with only six appearances in the Premier League, all coming off the bench.
To put Walcott’s 19 goals into perspective – Mirallas, Bolasie and Lennon managed a measly six combined.
Strengths –
Walcott has serious pace and for a side that is crying out for exactly that he will be welcomed with open arms.
He is a seasoned, proven goal scorer in the English top flight and has been for 12 years. The attacker can also operate in numerous positions across the frontline.
Theo Walcott – Big Game Contributions: Quick video as a reminder of some of the things Theo has done for the clubhttps://t.co/kOzQ0bN0Bt
— h. (@hmafc) April 5, 2016
Weaknesses –
He turns 29 in March so isn’t getting any younger, and in an already ageing squad Everton will have to look to the future sooner rather than later.
Decision making has burdened the winger throughout his career, *that* final ball, much like former England teammate Lennon, has always been a downfall.
Finally, he has never truly held down a place in a side throughout his career. This is his big chance to do just that.
Up the Toffees.