Troy Deeney told TalkSport (09/11/20 at 7:45 am) that the Watford players were saying that loaned out Everton man Theo Walcott looks a ‘different player’ at Southampton.
The 31-year-old, who came through the Southampton academy as a talented teenager, returned to his boyhood club this summer when Everton allowed him to move out on loan.
Well, it seems as though things are going well for the former Arsenal man because he registered an assist for the Saints on Friday as they briefly topped the Premier League table when they beat Newcastle.
Deeney shared his thoughts on how the £20 million Everton man [BBC Sport] is fairing at the place where it all began for him.
“There are many attributes to it,” said Deeney. “Southampton is a lovely place in the world as well. It’s nice to be down there.
“I think he knows the area. He’s not moving into anything new. So, certainly in Walcott’s regard home is where the heart is and he will be back there feeling good.
“We [the Watford players] were watching it [Southampton-Newcastle game] in the hotel with the lads and we were like ‘he looks like a different player’. What’s he now 31 or 32? I think he’s in his 30’s anyway.
“But he just looks like he is 23 or 24. He was getting in some great positions and you could see his growth as well. I think possibly being at a lesser team, obviously when at Arsenal and England he is always under the spotlight for being the wonder kid that is now flourishing.”
Walcott just didn’t really get going at Everton, and even though they could do with depth in the wide areas, his performances were up and down.
The former England man made the right call to move back to Southampton because there is less pressure on his and the club’s shoulders and he is thriving under it.
Plus, his past experiences at Arsenal, Everton and England would be very helpful to a group of players that haven’t played at the level he’s performed at before.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
