Theo Walcott has been included in the England Under-21 squad for this summer's European Championship despite the concerns of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Walcott, 20, has been at the centre of a club-versus-country row as he is also in the senior squad for World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra, with Wenger fearing his winger suffering burnout.
If Pearce's youngsters win their tournament in Sweden, Walcott will have just one week of rest before he is scheduled for pre-season training with his club.
Wenger is also aware that the last time Walcott went on international duty he returned to his club with a dislocated shoulder and was out for four months.
Pearce said: "I have every confidence in this squad, we are really looking forward to competing with the best under-21 teams in Europe, and hopefully, doing our country proud with our performances. It should be a fantastic tournament."
Walcott played a key role in England qualifying for a play-off tie to reach the finals before getting a call-up for the seniors and putting himself in the limelight with his hat-trick against Croatia in Zagreb.
Gabriel Agbonlahor has also featured for the seniors and he is going to Sweden with Pearce's youngsters, along with James Milner, Steven Taylor and Micah Richards.
Tottenham trio Tom Huddlestone, Jamie O'Hara and Aaron Lennon, however, are missing through injury.
Jack Rodwell and James Tomkins were included but Blackburn's Matt Derbyshire is injured.
"Our main aim is to go to Sweden and win it," said midfielder Mark Noble. "We aren't there to get to the semi-finals or anything. We think we have a good enough team to go there and win. If we do that it will be the icing on the cake for the season."
Comment 1 - 7 of 7
I disagree with that. Walcott scored some wicked goals last season and he always seems calm and collected when he's one on one with the keeper. His problem is his final ball, especially when under pressure but that will improve with time.
Walcott CANT finish to save his life!
All a load of bull really but that's the FA for you. It should one or the other and Walcott is more than capable of holding his own in the senior team IMO.
The FA are T@@sers of the first oder If Walcott is a senior player he should not be playing under 21's as well simple
Pearce just wants a star against his stupid name he was a @#$% manager and bought bad players to man city
Walcott is a senior team player, he should'nt be playing in the under 21 team. It will beat the purpose of grooming the other potential under 21. Please dont do it just for the sake of glory. it seems to me that Pearce has his own personal agenda. Like a plus in his record book....:)
He should not be playing for the england under 21's, seeing he is playing in the england senior squad sorry but its not fair on walcott or with any other players that have been promoted to the senior squad that are in the under 21's you can't have it both ways playing for both england teams. just my view on it
Perhaps Olympiacos' Matt Derbyshire?!
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account