Theo Walcott is poised for his punditry debut on Match of the Day's forthcoming edition, still remembering the sting of past critiques from experts like Ian Wright and Alan Shearer. He plans to deliver constructive insights, especially on the offensive strategies of Premier League's elite players, despite knowing it may ruffle feathers among current players who are also friends.
"Players know if they have a poor performance," Walcott told the Mirror. "They don't need someone like me to enhance that. But I'm not afraid to upset or rock the boat. I was an honest player so I'll give my side of it."
His experience on the pitch has taught him to see feedback from footballing greats like Wright and Shearer as beneficial. "I'm always there to help but for me I took it as constructive criticism when Ian Wright or Alan Shearer said something," he added.
"I took it as a positive because the fact they were talking about you was a good thing. Sometimes people expect more from certain players, which is absolutely fine. If you're being spoken about it's not a bad thing."
Walcott intends to channel his expertise to dissect the game from a forward's viewpoint, just like fellow new pundit Joe Hart's analysis of goalkeeping. "I like to look at players in my position, that's where I can give my expertise," he added. "A bit like Joe Hart on goalkeeping. I'll say my opinion but I'm not scared of offending anyone."
Despite his goal to promote the highlights of the game, he will resist playing the role of an undiscriminating enthusiast for his former teams Arsenal and Southampton.
Walcott warns that often pundits overly accentuate the negative, overshadowing splendid aspects of the match. However, he commits to objective commentary with allegiance neither of his former sides.
"If something happens and I've been in that situation I'll give my thought process of how a player might be taking in that split second," he adds. "I'll give my view on the player's perspective. Especially in the modern game. I'm only a year retired so I can really relate to a current player.
"I'm not going to be one these guys who's completely biased. I want to look at the positives of why something happens because I feel we're always looking at the negatives constantly.
"I'm trying to teach my children about finding the positives so that's my stance. This has happened quickly, a bit similar to the World Cup - going straight into it."
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