Theo Walcott has spent much of this summer reflecting on the state of English football — and in particular, the worrying decline of the traditional No 9. The former Arsenal and England man is sounding the alarm, expressing his unease about what he sees as a growing shortage of true centre-forwards emerging from England’s talent pipeline. Even more troubling to him is how “predictable” domestic football has become.Theo Walcott breaking the deadlock in the FA Cup final, 10 years ago today @theowalcott 🎯🟡🔵pic.twitter.com/idD5TKbMOX— Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) May 30, 2025 While Harry Kane continues to dominate headlines with his remarkable scoring record — netting his 73rd goal for the national team in a recent defeat to Senegal — the younger generation tells a different story. England’s Under-21 squad headed to the European Championship in Slovakia without a single natural striker in the ranks. One notable absence is Liam Delap, initially named in the preliminary squad, but now focused on Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign after sealing a 41milions move from Ipswich Town. As a lifelong Arsenal supporter, Walcott doesn’t hide his discomfort with the situation, admitting it “worries” him.Asked about the lack of true centre-forwards, Walcott was blunt: “I don’t like it. I always feel that it shows where we are as a country because we can’t find a No 9 to play in a system.”Walcott, who will feature in Channel 4’s coverage of England U21s’ final group stage match against Germany on June 18, believes the problem runs deeper than tactics. “It’s really hard to find them because everyone wants to be that really predictable player… those who like to come inside,” he said.“I always feel that it shows where we are as a country because we can’t find a No 9 to play in a system.“I’m not sure why we can’t develop them anymore.”I’m a big believer in getting it out wide, dribbling one v one, crossing it and seeing some headed goals. When do we see… pic.twitter.com/mGbmHRidfg— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) June 14, 2025 That’s why Delap’s switch to Chelsea is so significant — and, for Walcott, a point of both concern and hope. “That’s why Delap going to Chelsea worries me as an Arsenal fan. I know they have been going for that No 9, that Didier Drogba type, it’s that curse of the No 9. Delap can break that curse because he’s a really good striker. He’s the next one after Harry Kane for England. (It) disappoints me as an Arsenal fan if you don’t go after someone like that,” he says. “You can see it in him as well, you can see his fight. He doesn’t care who he plays against.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8977551##
