Is Southampton Forward Theo Walcott Heading to Cardiff City?

Theo Walcott has been linked with a surprise move to the championship this deadline day with Cardiff City the favourites to land the former England international.

Mike McGrath of the Daily Telegraph has revealed that:

"Southampton forward Theo Walcott could move on deadline day. Initial interest from #CardiffCity but other clubs expected to come in for ex-England international #SaintFC”"

Is a move to the Championship the right one for Walcott?

Theo Walcott enjoyed a bright start to his return to Southampton in 2020 and notably scored a fantastic chip against former club Arsenal. That season he scored three goals and made three assists in 21 appearances in the Premier League.

However, last season he managed just 9 games and so far this season he has not played at all. Walcott is now 33 and coming to the end of his career. A drop down a division to get regular football would be a good fit for him.

He has not played in the Championship since the 2005/6 season where in 21 games he scored four goals. He was only 16 at the time and earned a surprise call-up to Sven-Göran Eriksson’s England team for the 2006 World Cup despite the fact that he had never played in the Premier League.

He would go on to make 47 caps for England, scoring eight goals and his last game came in 2016.

What would Walcott bring to Cardiff City?

Cardiff has not had the best of starts this season and currently sits in 17th place in the Championship. They have only scored four goals in seven games so far, a player of Walcott’s attacking abilities would be much needed for the Bluebirds. He favours the right-wing position but he can also play on the left and as a centre-forward.

Steve Morrison’s side was linked with Gareth Bale this summer before he decided to join Los Angeles FC. However, they may be able to get another former Southampton player in Walcott.

He has been linked with a move to the MLS this summer, which would be tempting for a player his age. It was obviously an offer Bale could not refuse but for Walcott to move to Cardiff it would show he still has the drive to play at the highest level he can even if it means dropping down a tier in England.

Albeit the Championship is the strongest second division in the World and much stronger than a lot of first divisions.

He has done a lot in his career, including playing 398 times for Arsenal and scoring 108 goals. With the Gunners, he won the FA Cup twice and competed in the Champions League. He has also represented Everton 85 times. His experience would be a great asset in the Welsh capital. Even at 33 Walcott still has pace but has not scored a league goal in over a year.

However, a fresh start at a new club may kickstart Walcott to return to his old form. He does not have long left in his career so needs to make the most of it. With the deadline at 11pm today Cardiff must act fast if they are to secure their man.