Is Theo Walcott a football genius or is he overrated?

Source: Timesonline

This in my opinion is typical of the British media. Walcott was hailed a wonderkid after his superb performance against Croatia, however just two games on and they are already questioning whether he is overrated...

The answer of course is yes. Certain pudits went overboard after the Croatia game and hailed Walcott as the next England superstar. Even Wenger came out saying not to expect the same performance and that it was a one off. Walcott is a fantastic talent, however he is still very young. We should not expect performances like that everytime he pulls on an England shirt, and he should also not be an automatic selection purely based on one performance.

I would stick with him for now, however he would need to up his game in order to keep that shirt, with Shaun Wright-Phillips hot on his heals.

Do you agree? Would you stick with Walcott? Do you think he is a football genius or is he overrated?

Have your say!

Beyond being biased as an Arsenal supporter, I think Capello should stick with him. He hasn't played bad against Kazakhstan and Belarus, but he hasn't played as well as he did with Croatia either. But then again, it's going to be hard for him or any winger for that matter to replicate what he did with Croatia.

He's had his moments in both the Kazakhstan and Belarus matches. We also have to keep in mind that he's not going to sneak up on anyone anymore either. He's no longer a 'secret weapon' as everyone knows about him and are man marking him with one or even two defenders at times.

During the Kazakhstan match, he played very well for the first 10 minutes, put in a perfect cross for Heskey in the first 2 mintues, but Heskey somehow couldn't get on the end of it. He was then taken out by 2 defenders most of the time and crowded out. But defenders crowding him out or man marking him leaves other players open to do as they wish.

The thing with Walcott and most 'strikers' is that they'll be absent for most of the match, but it can all change in an instant. And with the speed of Walcott, it's just a pass here or a slip there or a defender out of position, and it'll turn into a goal.

But we all have to remember, he's still very young and a work in progress. If Capello sticks with him, by the time the 2010 World Cup comes around ... There is one thing he has to work on though, it's his defense and reading the game.

Walcott's style of play will benefit England and he's already showing more maturity in his game than the likes of Lennon and even SWP at times. I think he will become a better player than both of those in time.

I won't really say much on his position in the England side really because I don't really care for that.

I think he's been overrated since the first interest was shown in him by the big Clubs. But this is a formality with most young English talents. I think Walcott has real qualities but they are in a raw format and if he continues his progress at Arsenal he can become a genius of a player. Definitely a promising prospect and definitely a raw talent. Not really fair to judge him at the moment but certainly he's already showing his quality. It's not just pace, but that pace he has is extremely useful. If he can manage his abilities into one consistent & mature package, like Henry did, then he could become a seriously good player.

He's in good hands. Just don't boo him at Wembley when he makes a mistake or has a bad game. Treat him gently, he's only a kid.

exactly as i said in the Croatia game thread.

considering Walcott scored a hat trick he didnt actually play well at all in my opinion. he has the pace, which ensured he fits into the arsenal system but he certainly does not have the footwork. im sure that is what Wenger has been working on with him for all this time but his control, first touch and final ball can often leave a lot to be desired.

he is a kid though, just let him develop at his own rate. if he does not reach his potential thats his problem. england are not reliant on him and never will be so just let him get on with his game. he is no Messi and nor will he ever be. he was average against Croatia and he was average in the other games. the goals, as usual clouded, the vision of the watching world.

wait wait Letme laugh LOL
ROLF
LMAO
HHhahahaha hahahahahahaha
BHuuhahahahahahahahahahah
what ?
welcott who ?
against 10 men croaia out of euro LOL

man This small fish isnt even avrage
its bellow avrage

genious?
LOL


you english overHype every trash that come out of EPL
LOL
This shows how desparate You are to find your own star player LOL

this is a kid who in4 years still havent got to arsenal s (poor) starting XI LOL

over-rated Over-hyped

LOL

come and Play spain in bernabeu we will show how good is your little theo boy when Ramos and Both capdevillaand puyol and even albiol slam Him to The ground and let him walk out of the pitch with a broken legg LOL


this fool cant even shoot at target LOL

he is good in a kick and run league
let your genius come to La Liga and Then try touching The ball LOL

i wonder what Don fabio is Thinking NOw LOL


soon the england team will play toe wrestling LOL
come on give You nor you can go pass Group stages not even qualify LOL

stop insulting FUTBOL This game is fo southern europeans and south americans Only Its calld SOUTH game for southerns in europe or america or asia

LOL