---
title: "Exclusive: Carlton Palmer underwhelmed by Theo Walcott’s Southampton move"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-carlton-palmer-underwhelmed-by-theo-walcotts-southampton-move-transfers-everton-e131/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Caleb Sage"
section: "Exclusive"
published: "2021-05-27T05:40:24Z"
modified: "2021-05-27T05:40:24Z"
---

# Exclusive: Carlton Palmer underwhelmed by Theo Walcott’s Southampton move

**Theo Walcott has flattered to deceive and has not improved as a footballer, says former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer.**

Walcott, a Southampton youth product, rejoined the Saints on loan in the last summer transfer window but has since agreed to sign permanently when his contract at Everton expires, with the [south coast club confirming](https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2021-05-18/announcement-theo-walcott-southampton-agreement-in-principle-permanent-transfer) this earlier this month.

He did manage to chip in with a [few goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/theo-walcott/leistungsdaten/spieler/33713) in the Premier League campaign that just concluded, but the English forward also missed a lot of [games due to injury](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/theo-walcott/leistungsdaten/spieler/33713).

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Overall, it is a permanent signing that has not impressed Palmer, who is concerned by the lack of progress he has seen in Walcott’s development down the years.

*“As far as I’m concerned, he’s flattered to deceive all the way throughout his career,”* the ex-Southampton player exclusively told **TT**.

*“I don’t think he’s improved as a football player having been blessed with all that kind of pace. I don’t think he’s improved and if you’re not going to improve under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger, then you are what you are.*

*“So at Southampton, no pressure, he will probably give you one performance in every six or two performances in every six.”*

On a free transfer and a player that Ralph Hasenhuttl now knows, you can see why Southampton decided to sign Walcott permanently in the end. The above, though, plus his [injury record](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/theo-walcott/verletzungen/spieler/33713), may be a concern to some.