World Cup 2014: Theo Walcott Out With Injury
January 10th, 2014 by G WaldorfYou’ve got to feel for Theo Walcott. He could well be starting to think – and he’s going to have plenty of time to dwell on it over the coming months – that the World Cup dream just isn’t one that’s going to come true for him. We all have our crosses to bear, you might be thinking (and the World Cup dream is just that for most of us, anyway…), but few have been as close to the World Cup without ever representing their country in the tournament. Picked in the squad in 2006 – aged just 17 – Walcott never got a run-out. He was crucial for England in the qualifiers for South Africa, but never made it onto the plane to the finals. Then, after a run of good form for EPL leaders Arsenal, he must have thought third time was the charm. But it’s not to be: a knee injury will see him sidelined for six months, scans confirmed this week.
It’s not clear how central Walcott would have been to England coach Roy Hodgson’s plans come June, but he was almost certainly a part of them, and he’s a talent that the English will miss. Still, they’re currently a $1.57 bet to get out of their group, and a $26.00 bet to lift the trophy, so things could be worse. If they are to head to Brazil with a weakened team, though, it won’t necessarily be to Australia’s advantage: the Socceroos won’t meet England until at least the Quarter-Finals if they get there. Seems a shame after all the fun we’ve been having beating their cricket team…
Just follow the link for all your latest soccer odds!
- 2023
- 2022
- - June
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2000