Why exactly is Walcott in Germany?

By Pete Jenson Jun 24, 2006, 17:37 GMT

Theo Walcott (L), Michael Dawson (centre) and Peter Crouch (R) of England during training in the grounds of a hotel outside London Monday May 22nd 2006. EPA/DANIEL HAMBURY

Berlin - Untried striker Theo Walcott is having a whale of time with the England squad.

'The weeks he's been together with us have been fantastic for him. He's getting better and better, with more and more confidence,' said Sven Goran Eriksson when asked about the Arsenal youngster.

It's reassuring that while England's striker resources are reduced to only one 100 per cent match-fit striker - Peter Crouch - Walcott's time with England has been fantastic 'for him'.

England fans who thought the squad was picked for the benefit of the country were wrong. It's not whether we win the World Cup that counts it's whether certain players get a World Cup on their CV and develop as individuals and professionals.

'It's been fantastic for him'. Sven's incredulous comment bears repeating. Did Walcott win his place in the squad by filling in the back of a cereal packet?

Did FIFA give England special dispensation to let England take a 24-man squad with 23 senior players and one more just to enjoy and learn from the experience?

No, is the answer. Walcott, who Sven had never seen play before he picked him, was drafted in ahead of a string of players with much more of a proven track record.

Jermain Defoe's spectacular goal for England against Poland in the World Cup qualifiers is one of the reasons why England are at the World Cup.

New Everton signing Andy Johnson also has international experience and has scored top-level goals regularly in England over the past three seasons.

Charlton's Darren Bent scored 18 Premiership goals this season and West Ham's Dean Ashton ran Liverpool's defence ragged in the Cup Final scoring twice.

But Walcott got the nod and according to the Daily Mail, Saturday: 'has looked well short of the standard required during England's training sessions and will be used only if Eriksson has exhausted all other options'.

Which takes us back to the original question: What is Walcott doing in Germany? One conspiracy theory says that Arsene Wenger has been lined up as Real Madrid presidential candidate Juan Miguel Villar Mir's new coach and that Sven Goran Eriksson will take over at Arsenal, hence Sven wanting to get to know his teenage striker.

Maybe if Wane Rooney tires in the heat against Ecuador Sunday afternoon in Stuttgart Theo will come off the bench and deliver the goods. Eriksson does not really convince on the subject.

Asked if he thought Walcott was ready to be thrown on for such a pressure match, having played only 25 minutes for England in a friendly win over Hungary last month, the England boss told reporters: 'I think so'.