With reports suggesting that Theo Walcott is about to make a £20 million switch from Arsenal to Everton, we look at this impact of this significant capture for the Toffees, and analyse whether a player who was once seen as England’s most exciting prospect can again establish himself in the Premier League and become a relevant FPL performer.
Its been a miserable season to date for Walcott, who has spent just 63 minutes on the pitch for the Gunners and has accrued just 6 points – a desperate return for a player still valued at £7.1 million and is owned by just 0.6% of managers across the FPL.
Just look at who else you could own for that money in Walcott’s position :
Jesse Lingard (Man Utd – £6.4m) – 88 points
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal – £6.9m) – 82 points
Juan Mata (Man Utd – £6.8m) – 74 points
And many, many more.
It is clear that Walcott has long fallen out of favour at the Emirates, even when fully fit. However, from a Fantasy perspective, Walcott can deliver. Only last season, Theo delivered a more than respectable 122 points across the season, although still a far cry from his halcyon days of the 2011/12 season (169 points) and 2012/13 season (194 points).
You would very much expect a vastly improved performance in the Everton blue. Not only will he be started with confidence and regularity by Big Sam, but he will be part of a still under-performing but highly talented team that are again upward looking after a desperate start endured under the tutelage of Ronald Koeman. Although it seems that Walcott has been part of Premier League folklore since its inception, he is still only 28 and arguably still has plenty of time to reach the heady heights expected of him. Walcott has always had an eye for goal, even if his assist ratio is sadly out of kilter from someone who plays in a more attacking midfielder/winger role than out and out striker.
We think that £7.1 million is still a valuation too high for Walcott currently, especially with so many other, more proven, options around currently. But we do expect to see an upturn in production and that 0.6% ownership rise…and if, just if, he can catch fire, he may yet prove a valuable asset in FPL run in.
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