Former Brazilian World Cup winner Gilberto Silva has insisted that Theo Walcott has the necessary traits to succeed with Everton’s exciting new look attack this season.
Walcott is beginning his first full season with Everton this campaign, having joined the club last January after 12 years at Gilberto’s former club Arsenal.
Walcott is expected to feature heavily for Everton this season, alongside new-boy Richarlison and Cenk Tosun in a new look attacking trio.
Gilberto is backing his former teammate to succeed under Marco Silva’s tutelage this season, claiming the lightning fast winger’s switch to Goodison Park was the best for his career. Talking to the club’s official website, Gilberto had this to say on Walcott’s decision to move to Merseyside:
When I saw Theo was going to Everton I thought it was a really positive move for him.
It is a chance for him to learn new skills and push himself in a different way. He has a big responsibility in the team, which I think will motivate him. And he has the ability and character to be one of Everton’s key players.
After so long at one club it is good to find a new challenge. Theo initially had to adapt to a new environment but he is playing with some very good players and I think he can develop even further as a footballer.
Theo is a player I like a lot. I knew him from the very start of his time at Arsenal and he had a great career there.
I have watched quite a few of his matches for Everton and he has looked sharp. He is mature and has a lot of experience. He is a good boy and I hope he can show all his quality at Everton and help the Club achieve some big things.
He is the kind of guy who deserves that success.
Gilberto was also impressed by the performance of his compatriot Richarlison in Everton’s opening game of the season against Wolves, and believes the Blues will flourish with both Richarlison and Walcott on the flanks. Gilberto continued:
I believe Everton can be a very strong attacking team.They have two extremely good players in Walcott and Richarlison.
Walcott is experienced and knows the league. Richarlison is new and hungry to do well and his enthusiasm and motivation could be very important for Everton. If they both perform as well as they can, they will be big assets.
Marco Silva is ambitious and he will push the players, organise the team and aim to play good football. It is an opportunity for Everton to move forward and a good challenge for the manager.
There is always big expectation at Everton. He will be trying to make them exceptionally competitive and turn Goodison Park in to a fortress.
It was always very hard to play there. We knew the game would be very physical and we would have to be ready for a big battle.
Every player had to be sharp from the beginning of the match. If you were not on your game straight away it would be very hard.
Everton were always ready from kick off when they were playing in front of their own fans.
They were the types of games where you started your preparation from the first day of the week because you knew you were facing a very difficult challenge.
