Big Sam is what I need to kick on, says Theo
THEO WALCOTT insists he has joined Everton to win silverware and reignite his career after completing his £20million move from Arsenal. The England international had a medical on Tuesday and agreed a deal that will keep him at Goodison Park until June 2021. The 28-year-old believes the opportunity has come at the perfect time. He has hardly featured in the Premier League this season but new boss Sam Allardyce is determined to make him a focal point of Everton’s attack and Walcott has explained the role he played in making the switch happen. ‘I’m very ambitious and I’ve come here because I want the club to push to the next level,’ Walcott said. ‘With the players who have come in, I feel like the next level can be reached. I felt this was the right place for me. ‘I feel like the club are going in the right direction. Everton are a club with a great history. The fans are always passionate, and I always used to find it very tough playing here. The club have won trophies but I want them to win trophies now. ‘The manager is very hungry and it’s just what I need. I’ve had a couple of chats with him and straightaway I felt that hunger and that desire that he wanted from me.’ Allardyce has already spent more than £45million in the window and will now look to bring in a left back. Manchester United’s Luke Shaw and Aaron Cresswell of West Ham are his preferred options but neither will be easily obtained. Improving Everton’s goals return is a priority, though, and Cenk Tosun — who was Everton’s first signing of the window from Besiktas — feels he and Walcott can form a partnership. ‘He will bring a lot to the team,’ said Tosun. ‘We need that kind of input up front and I hope he will give that to us. ‘Theo is a great player — he has done well at Arsenal for many years. He will be a massive signing for us. I think I will link up well with him.’