From Theo who to England's talking point

London: After travelling tens of thousands of miles on England scouting missions this season, and attending more than 100 games, Sven-Goran Eriksson on Monday picked a teenager for the World Cup he has watched play only on video.

Even in the unpredictable world of football, Theo Walcott's call-up is a fairytale of the unexpected. Eriksson always insisted he would leave the door open for any late-emerging talents, but Walcott has climbed in through a back window unnoticed.

He has yet to kick a ball in anger for Arsenal, has not been included in Arsene Wenger's 18-man squad for next week's Champions League final and learned of his World Cup summons after sitting the theory section of his driving test.

"It's a gamble," Eriksson admitted as he announced a commendably exciting and youthful 23-strong squad for Germany.

"If you take a 17-year-old boy to the World Cup, of course you can't be sure. It's just a feeling I have. I decided this morning. I have seen a lot of him on videos. I think he's ready."

The pacy teenage striker had noticed members of England coaching staff, including Eriksson, around Arsenal's training ground recently but assumed they were checking up on the fitness of Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell.
 
"A couple of weeks ago, I said "hello" to Walcott after an Arsenal training session," Eriksson said. "He won't be nervous, or feel the pressure. We talked to a lot of people who have worked with him and they said he can handle it. I spoke a lot to Wenger. I spoke to Ray Clemence and Ray spoke a lot to the FA coaches who had him in the past."
 
Walcott has represented England at every age group up to Under-19. "I have seen him in the Under-19s," Eriksson said, "and I heard about when he played for Southampton. I have seen him twice in the reserves. Wenger thinks he's ready."

Arsenal's manager clearly thinks Walcott is ready for England, but not Arsenal, a conundrum Eriksson could not explain. "I don't think Walcott or Wenger think he is going to play seven games of 90 minutes in the World Cup. But sitting on the bench, if I see there is space out there, I will use his pace."

PROFILE
Meet world's most expensive 16-year-old

Player name: Theo Walcott
Date of birth: 16 March, 1989
Nationality: English
Position: Striker
Current club: Arsenal

- At just 17, Walcott's is a breathtaking inclusion.

- With Spurs' Aaron Lennon, Walcott becomes the first uncapped Englishman to go to a World Cup since Leeds United's Allan Clarke. If England reach the final, Walcott will at 17 years and 116 days become the youngest finalist since Pele in 1958, when the Brazilian was 17 years and 239 days.

- Received his England call-up after finishing the theory section of his driving test.

- His rapid rise started as a 10-year-old at Compton Primary School in Newbury.

- From Newbury Schools, he joined AFC Newbury. Joined Swindon Town before taking up an offer to join Southampton's academy in April 2000. He signed a £90-a-week scholarship deal last summer.

- Because he was 16 at the time of his move to Arsenal - worth £ 5 million initially, but rising to a possible £ 12 million - he could not even sign a professional contract with the club until his 17th birthday, on March 16

- Has not kicked a ball for Arsenal in the Premiership

- Could become England's youngest ever player if he is picked for the friendly against Hungary on May 30.

- Walcott is the world's most expensive 16-year-old.

- He is said to be quicker than his idol, Thierry Henry - on the ground.

- His father, Don, is a former British Gas employee, his mother, Lynn, a midwife, his sister, Hollie, a former county netball player and he is close to his brother, Ashley. The great West Indian batsman Sir Clyde Walcott was his father's cousin.

- He has played at every level for England, up to Under-19s.

- He has scored five goals in 11 Under-17 matches as well as in the Under-19s against Slovakia in February.

- Has scored four times in 13 starts with Southampton.