Walcott not ready to replace Beckham yet, says ex-England coach
Former England coach John Gorman has questioned whether Theo Walcott is ready to keep David Beckham out of the national side for good.
Walcott scored a stunning hat-trick in England's 4-1 demolition of Croatia, and his outstanding performance led to calls for him to replace Beckham down the right flank.
But Gorman, who spent three years as England assistant manager under Glenn Hoddle during the 1990s, said: "I'm not so sure if he has what it takes to be a regular for England yet.
"He needs to be nurtured. Fabio Capello knows exactly what he needs to do."
Gorman believes Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is the best man for keeping Walcott's feet firmly on the ground.
On the eve of the publication of his autobiography, 'Gory Tales', Gorman added: "Walcott is smashing young kid and he has a great future ahead of him, I'm sure.
"A couple of years ago people were doubting him but now all of a sudden he's the best thing since sliced bread but that's football.
"Everyone will just have to not go overboard with all the hype, but (Arsene) Wenger will look after him. He's a clever man, he knows how to handle his players and that's why he's done so well in club management.
"All the hype is understandable but there is always a tendency to over-hype players and go hard on them when they perform badly. He's still quite a young boy but he certainly looks as if he's on the right road now."
Email to a friend
Print this page- BREAKING NEWS: Tributes paid to Niamh Curry as brave five-year-old loses battle against cancer
- BREAKING NEWS: Pensioner dies after collision at Northampton shopping centre
- Man tied to tree and beaten on Northampton Racecourse
- BREAKING NEWS: Seven-year-old boy dies following house fire in Northamptonshire
- Northampton binmen at ‘breaking point’
- Northampton binmen at ‘breaking point’
- Saints’ stadium plans get support as long as traffic issues solved
- Eastern European pupils helping school standards across Northampton
- Staff strike at Northampton school over academy plans forces closure
- Vow to crack down on anti-social behaviour across Northampton’s eastern district
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Northampton
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
