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 this earlier this month.

He did manage to chip in with a few goals in the Premier League campaign that just concluded, but the English forward also missed a lot of games due to injury.

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, may be a concern to some.