Storck wary of Walcott

Kazakhstan keen to cut off supply to England winger

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 10th October 2008

Theo Walcott England

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Kazakhstan boss Bernd Storck has identified Theo Walcott as England's danger man this weekend.

The German coach, who is currently in caretaker charge of the Eastern European nation, rates the Arsenal youngster as highly as Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.

Storck witnessed first-hand Walcott's demolition of Croatia in September, as the youngster bagged a hat-trick in a comprehensive 4-1 win.

With that result still fresh in the England players' minds, Kazakhstan hope to stop to the supply line to Walcott and prevent Wayne Rooney from dominating proceedings in the attacking third.

Unbelievable

"I've seen a lot of games in my career and I was at the Croatia game. What I saw of Walcott there was unbelievable," said Storck.

"He's like Messi was at that age - a very fine player. Walcott was the youngest player to play in England's national team and is still a player for the future.

"He's very fast, with good technique and he scores goals. For England, the future is very good with him.

"But it's not only a game against Walcott. England need players to play the ball to him, so I have asked my players to stop England's players passing the ball to Walcott in the first place, so he cannot get it and move towards our goal.

"We will look at Rooney especially. He has very good eyes and is a playmaker making good passes when he plays deep, which he showed in the last game against Croatia."

Physical

Meanwhile, Storck insists he will not encourage his side to take a heavy-handed approach in their efforts to stop Walcott and co at Wembley this weekend.

"It's not important for us to be physical with Walcott or Rooney," he added.

"I won't tell my team to play hard against Rooney and make him nervous. It's not good coaching to say, 'you must hit him and play hard'. They are football players and we want to play football.

"If my players are physical against Rooney or Walcott they will get a yellow card and must be careful for the rest of the game.

"We want to stop England's players in the normal way, within the rules."