Theo Walcott failed to produce the goods yet again as his form becomes a problem for Everton
In the recent 1-0 loss at home to Leicester, the Toffees’ poor form continued as the Foxes left Merseyside with all three points in what was ultimately a dire game. This loss means that Marco Silva’s hugely talented side have won just once in their last eight games, which is nowhere near good enough for a club as ambitious as they are.
Of course, you cannot blame just one player for their abysmal recent results, but the performances of Theo Walcott are becoming a bit of a problem for Silva and the Toffees.
The former Arsenal forward has started 19 Premier League games for Everton in the current campaign out of a possible 21, but has scored just three goals and recorded two assists – having been signed for a pricey £20m, that simply isn’t a sufficient return.
Silva and sporting director Marcel Brands had an extremely busy summer ensuring that the starting eleven saw a youthful overhaul, bringing in 21-year-old Richarlison for around £50m, 25-year-old Lucas Digne to replace the ageing Leighton Baines, as well as bringing in 24-year-old Kurt Zouma on loan to replace the 36-year-old Phil Jagielka.
Having made such an effort to transform the side, it seems as if Walcott is on borrowed time should he continue to put in such dire performances.
Against Claude Puel’s side at Goodison Park, the England international completed just 62% of his passes, and failed to have a single shot on Kasper Schmeichel’s goal throughout the seventy minutes he was on the pitch.
Walcott also only managed to embark on just one dribble against Leicester, which is shambolic considering he was operating out on the right-wing – it could also be seen as a tribute to just how good Ben Chilwell has been performing, but the Toffees’ number 11 needs to be more of a threat.
The Southampton graduate lost his battle against Chilwell in embarrassing fashion, as he was also dispossessed a whopping three times throughout the game, whilst he also had four unsuccessful touches.
With the aforementioned Richarlison having a fine debut season on Merseyside with nine goals in the league so far this season, along with the eight-goal Gylfi Sigurdsson in behind him, it is Walcott who is stinking out the Toffees’ attack and is in desperate need of replacing if Everton and Silva are to realise their European ambitions.