Theo Walcott promised central role at Everton if he leaves Arsenal but in reality how would that work?
Theo Walcott of Arsenal shoots and misses during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match against Nottingham Forest.
Everton are on the verge of completing a £20m deal to sign Theo Walcott from Arsenal, reports the Guardian, as they look to add their second new addition of the January transfer window.
It comes in the wake of Cenk Tosun joining the Toffees from Besiktas for an initial £21m and sees manager Sam Allardyce completely reshaping his attack.
Cenk Tosun of Everton during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.
In fact part of the lure of moving to Goodison Park for Walcott was the promise from Allardyce of being played in his preferred position as a central striker, according to the Mirror, rather than out on the wing.
If true, does that mean there could be a new partnership being formed in attack of Tosun and Walcott and if so, where does that leave the other forwards at the club?
Since Allardyce took charge in November the Merseysiders have generally operated in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation – with both systems only having one striker.
Sam Allardyce, manager of Everton, looks on prior to the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.
This seems to favour Wayne Rooney, who now operates as a number ten or even deeper in midfield, and record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson is adjusting to his new role on the left flank.
The natural fit for Walcott would therefore seem to be on the right, which is where the 28-year-old played for most of his Gunners career, but apparently Allardyce wants the England international more central.
Unless Everton can try and emulate the fluid attacking style of Tottenham Hotspur – who beat them 4-0 at the weekend – with Heung-min Son moving from out wide to support Harry Kane upfront (Walcott and Tosun), while Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen are deeper and more central (Rooney and Sigurdsson)?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
