5 players who can replace injured Theo Walcott for England in the World Cup

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Theo Walcott’s anterior cruciate ligament injury is bad news for both him and the nation as he was almost guaranteed a spot in Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad. The man who scored five and set up four from his right wing position in just 13 Premier League games this season will certainly be missed.

Theo Walcott stats

Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck can play in that position, while James Milner is a Hodgson favourite and to the chagrin of many fans may well go. The rescheduling of Adam Lallana’s wedding plans from the summer to Christmas time may lead a few to suspect he may have gotten an early nod.

However, it does open up an opportunity in allowing another winger, of which England have quite a few, who might currently lingering in the periphery of Hodgson’s thoughts to make a breakthrough and snatch a seat on the plane to Brazil. Here are a few would could make the cut.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

‘The Ox’, Walcott’s potential replacement in terms of both club and country, has only played 56 minutes of league football this season, so it is hard and perhaps unfair to judge him on this alone – even if he has produced one assist and an 84% pass completion record.

Oxlade-Chamberlain Duel Success – PL 2012/13

Last season, however, he made 25 Premier League appearances and registered an pass completion figure of 81%, performed 19 key passes, provided one assist and won a tad under half of his take-ons. Most astonishing, however, is Oxlade-Chamberlain’s efficiency in making challenges – a staggering 93% completion rate.

He has the potential and is a favourite of Hodgson’s. This in mind, along with the fact he will be fresher than most alternatives having played only half a season, he could be a prime candidate to replace his fellow gunner.

Andros Townsend

Townsend Chance Creation

Townsend exploded onto the scene this season with a wonder goal during his England debut and some good performances for Tottenham Hotspur, but his form has since waned and he has not played in any of the last five games due to injury.

He does complete 85% of his passes and win a massive 67% of take ons but has only scored once in the league and, despite having made 21 key passes, has provided no assists for Spurs.

If the man who has had nine loan spells in his career can recreate his early season form, he could well be a shoe-in; if he cannot, though, then he may well stay at home.

Aaron Lennon

Lennon has been in and around the England squad for years now, having won 21 senior caps and made the squad for the last World Cup in South Africa.

Lennon Duel Success

This season, though, his form has not been great – reasonable, at best like his Spurs team-mate Townsend. 12 appearances have resulted in one goal and one assist while, despite his electric pace, he has only beaten his man in 47% of his attempted take-ons.

Raheem Sterling

Sterling has a Squawka Performance Score of 212 from 16 games this season, better than Victor Moses, Joe Allen and Jose Enrique.

His pace and skilful dribbling certainly make him an eye catching player and his youth makes him somewhat of an unknown quantity, somewhat like Walcott when he went to the World Cup in 2006. The young Liverpool player wins 58% of take ons, has produced two assists and has also scored three goals.

Sterling Take-On Success

However, Sterling should not be disheartened if he fails to make the squad as he is young and has time on his side, but would certainly add something if he did get the call up.

Adam Johnson

Johnson Pass Direction

Johnson’s hat-trick at the weekend against Fulham for Sunderland have left a few tongues wagging on the subject of a potential England recall for the ex-Man City winger, but the question of whether he can consistently perform well enough remains.

Aside from the previous game’s three, he has only scored one further goal and has provided two assists from 26 key passes made. He also has only a 76% pass completion to show from the first half of the season and wins just under half of his attempted take-ons.

He is not really any worse than a lot of the other candidates, but he is not necessarily any better either.