Search icon

Football

12th Oct 2016

Chris Sutton’s cutting analysis of Theo Walcott is something else

The man has no filter...

Robert Redmond

Chris Sutton pulls no punches with his punditry.

Like the time he said Rangers can’t beat Celtic because their central defenders are “horrendous.”

Or when he told a fellow BT Sports pundit that he was “embarrassed for him” because they disagreed over a penalty claim in a Celtic match. You just don’t get this from Michael Owen.

The former Celtic and Blackburn Rovers striker even had the gumption to disagree with Roy Keane, another ex-footballer famous for his non-nonsense approach to punditry.

The pair also seem to share a similar opinion on Theo Walcott.

It was recently put to Keane on ITV’s Champions League coverage that the Arsenal forward, who was on a good run of form, has matured and started to reach his potential.

Keane wasn’t buying it though.

England v Malta - FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier

“Listen he’s had a good week. The guy needs to relax. Try to play well for the next seven or eight months,” the former Manchester United captain said.

However, that almost seems like a compliment compared to Sutton’s analysis of Walcott’s performances for England against Malta and Slovenia over the past week.

Whereas Keane gives Walcott the benefit of the doubt, somewhat, Sutton just takes his game apart after two underwhelming performances for the national team.

“All the fuss about Theo Walcott this season — I don’t get it,” Sutton told The Daily Mail.

“People are saying he is a changed player. He is neither clever nor creative and he was completely ineffective once again for England.

“The Arsenal man has no guile and didn’t link up at all or put any decent crosses in all night. His pass appreciation is desperately poor and his defensive clearance just after half-time summed his night up. Everyone has credited Gareth Southgate for having the courage to drop Wayne Rooney, but he needs to learn fast and leave Walcott out.

“Andros Townsend was far more effective in his 28-minute cameo.”

*Gulp*. Hope you’re okay, Theo.

HULL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Theo Walcott of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Hull City and Arsenal at KCOM Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Hull, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Hull City v Arsenal - Premier League

Hull City v Arsenal - Premier League

HULL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Theo Walcott of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Hull City and Arsenal at KCOM Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Hull, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Hull City v Arsenal - Premier League

A brand new GAA Hour on the era of player statements plus the plight of the lowly clubman. Subscribe on iTunes.

WATCH: Liverpool BOTTLED the title race 🤬 | Who will win the Premier League?