England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson admitted on Sunday that his shock decision to take rookie Theo Walcott to the World Cup surprised his coaching staff so much that they were left speechless.
The Swede opted for the 17-year-old Walcott, who has yet to make his debut for Arsenal, above proven talents such as Jermain Defoe, Darren Bent and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
And when he telephoned right-hand men Steve McClaren and Sammy Lee to tell them his intentions, there was a deafening silence on the other end.
”There was silence at the other end,” said Eriksson. ”Sammy and Steve can’t say anything because they have never seen him play. If you only have to take 14 players, I wouldn’t have done it, but you take 23 and a standby list so why not?
”I think everyone is looking forward to it because it’s something fresh.”
The England manager had never seen Walcott play in a competitive game and he expects rival managers to be scrambling for video footage of the teenager in action.
He took advice from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and is convinced the rookie striker can be a secret World Cup weapon.
Eriksson said: ”I might be the only one with tapes. The other managers will have to find out about him.”
Eriksson’s is looking to terrorise his opponents with sheer pace in Germany.
As well as Walcott, he has wingers Aaron Lennon and Stewart Downing in his squad.
”They might never start a World Cup match,” said Eriksson. ”But to have the option of pace whenever you need it, maybe in the second half when it’s 0-0 or you’re losing 1-0, it is the perfect option.” — AFP
