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Gallas tells Walcott: To be a great you have to become less predictable
Last updated at 11:56am on 4th March 2008
William Gallas believes Theo Walcott can be the new Wayne Rooney - but warned he must be "less predictable and more focused".
The Arsenal captain is in no doubt of the potential of his 18-year-old team-mate, who like Rooney before him is considered one of the brightest prospects of his generation.
Good but not great: Theo Walcott has a lot of work to do to become the next Rooney, says Gallas
Walcott has struggled to make a big impact with the Gunners since his multi-million pound move from Southampton and Gallas can see why.
"I think Theo Walcott can be the new Wayne Rooney but he has to change his style of play," said the France defender.
"He must work hard in training because everyone knows where he will run with the ball.
"He goes on his right foot - so he must work to come on the inside on his left foot.
"He must be less predictable and more focused. He can also take too long on the ball."
Asked if Walcott listens to his advice, Gallas replied: "I hope for him he does because he has great potential."
Gallas, who replaced Thierry Henry as Gunners skipper at the beginning of the season, worries about the attitude of today's young players.
The 30-year-old said: "One young player asked me about an expensive car he wanted and I said 'save your money, look after your family and then think about cars'. "When I started playing, I saved my money to buy a nice house for my family. But now these young players all want a BMW or Ferrari when they are still only 17 or 18.
"They don't have to work as hard as I did. It might not be their fault but it is wrong."
Last updated at 11:56am on 4th March 2008
William Gallas believes Theo Walcott can be the new Wayne Rooney - but warned he must be "less predictable and more focused".
The Arsenal captain is in no doubt of the potential of his 18-year-old team-mate, who like Rooney before him is considered one of the brightest prospects of his generation.
Good but not great: Theo Walcott has a lot of work to do to become the next Rooney, says Gallas
Walcott has struggled to make a big impact with the Gunners since his multi-million pound move from Southampton and Gallas can see why.
"I think Theo Walcott can be the new Wayne Rooney but he has to change his style of play," said the France defender.
"He must work hard in training because everyone knows where he will run with the ball.
"He goes on his right foot - so he must work to come on the inside on his left foot.
"He must be less predictable and more focused. He can also take too long on the ball."
Asked if Walcott listens to his advice, Gallas replied: "I hope for him he does because he has great potential."
Gallas, who replaced Thierry Henry as Gunners skipper at the beginning of the season, worries about the attitude of today's young players.
The 30-year-old said: "One young player asked me about an expensive car he wanted and I said 'save your money, look after your family and then think about cars'. "When I started playing, I saved my money to buy a nice house for my family. But now these young players all want a BMW or Ferrari when they are still only 17 or 18.
"They don't have to work as hard as I did. It might not be their fault but it is wrong."