Football story by Brian Watters, Wed, 28 Dec 2005 18:36:00 GMT


Newly appointed Southampton head coach George Burley has categorically stated that teenage star Theo Walcott would stay on at Southampton and not make a move to the Premiership as is being speculated in the media.

"I've met Theo's dad and he is pleased I'm there as I like working with young players," Burley told the Saints' website. "I've spoken to the chairman about it and Theo is going nowhere." He added that Walcott was "central" to his plans for the club and at the moment he was staying put at St Mary's.

"I've always believed that if they are good enough, then they are old enough. I've brought a lot of young talent through and that's what I intend to do at Southampton," Burley observed. "We have some good youngsters and need to bring them through and make the most of them."

Walcott has been linked with high profile clubs of Arsenal and Chelsea and it has been rumored that both Arsene Wenger and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho are doing their best to get his services. It was also thought that Walcott would move to Highbury since he had better chances of competing on the first team there than at Chelsea since they have big names on their bench.

But Dave Bassett, the caretaker manager after Harry Redknapp's not-so-surprising exit, had also intimated that they would try their best to keep Walcott at St Mary's. "We see Theo's future at Southampton and we are sure he does too because it is good for him to be here," Bassett had said on the rumors that Walcott was going to leave for £8 million to either Arsenal or Chelsea in the January transfer window.

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