Paul Robinson has lauded the decision by Everton to loan out Theo Walcott to Southampton for the rest of the 2020/21 term.
Indeed, the 31-year old finalised his move to the Saints on Transfer Deadline Day and will join up with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team once the Premier League resumes after the international break.
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The former Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United goalkeeper told Football Insider that he thinks that the deal works for both clubs involved:
“Theo was one of those that had to leave and that’s a deal that just works.
“Going back to Southampton for him is something obviously that he wanted to do and he wasn’t going to play regularly at Everton.
“You look at the quality they’ve got there in their starting XI and their bench as well. It wasn’t one he was going to break into.”
Walcott not playing regularly at Everton
Indeed, Walcott was not playing regularly at Everton as Robinson says. The England international only played in two of the seven games that the Merseyside club have played so far in this season, with one of those in a mini 12-minute cameo off of the bench, per Transfermarkt.
Since signing under Sam Allardyce, it’s fair to say Walcott has been a flop, scoring just 11 goals in 85 total showings.
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Perhaps Southampton could offer him more game-time given the competition on the wings for the Toffees at the moment, with the likes of James Rodriguez, Richarlison, Alex Iwobi, and Bernard all capable of playing down the flanks.
Back to Southampton
Walcott going back to his boyhood club is somewhat of an emotional one as well, having broke onto the scene with the Saints as a teenager.
Indeed, the deal does seem to work for both parties as Robinson suggests, with the winger going back to his boyhood side and the Toffees freeing up space in their squad for potential future additions, whether that would be with EFL clubs or in the January transfer window.
Once his loan expires, Carlo Ancelotti may well look to sell Walcott to try and get him off of the wage bill.
Evertonians, would you have loaned out Walcott? Comment below!
