London, May 28 (IANS) England winger Theo Walcott is learning the skills of dead ball play from none other than David Beckham.
Beckham, who ruptured an achilles tendon, will be part of the England set-up at the World Cup to pass on technical advice.
England manager Fabio Capello has been very clear that Beckham will do no coaching at the World Cup and must travel in South Africa as an ambassador for the World Cup bid.
Walcott, however, is picking up pieces of advice from the former England captain.
Beckham has reassured the 21-year-old Arsenal player over his crossing.
‘He has always told me to deliver the ball in the space,’ Walcott was quoted as saying in The Daily Telegraph Friday.
‘If there is no one there, it is not your problem. Someone should get on the end of it. That is what he has done. He is a fantastic crosser of the ball and having him there can only help.’
Nonetheless, the veteran does still appear significant to people like Walcott.
‘If you see someone who has won so many things,’ he said, ‘having him around can only help.’
Walcott is heartened to have started against Mexico Monday, because he has rivals in Aaron Lennon, Adam Johnson and Shaun Wright-Phillips for the position on the right and the squad will be trimmed to 23 Tuesday.
‘It is great competition to have and (Capello) always likes us to stay out wide to have that different option,’ he said.
Walcott, who scored a hat-trick in England’s stunning display against Croatia in a World Cup qualifying match in Zagreb, feels that he is asked to stay nearer the touchline for his country then he does for Arsenal.
He believes that stretching the opposition can open up channels for players such as Steven Gerrard. With Capello in charge, Walcott is also getting accustomed to tracking back to cover.
