Walcott compares Southampton star with Gareth Bale

Former Arsenal man Theo Walcott says Southampton full-back Tino Livramento reminds him of Gareth Bale.

Livramento has started all 11 Premier League games for the Saints this term having joined from Chelsea for £5million in the summer.

The 19-year-old had never played a senior game before this season and has been the standout player for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, earning an October player of the month nomination.

And Southampton teammate Walcott has likened the teenager to Bale, who began his professional career as a full-back with the Saints.

Walcott told talkSPORT: “You know what, he actually reminds me a little bit of Gareth (Bale) coming through as a full-back.

“I just feel like his presence, the way he drives, his pace and power – there’s no surprises, you know what he’s going to do but he is so strong with the ball and very clever, technically he’s fantastic.

“He’s got great people around him to work with him and the great thing about Southampton is he’s got so many youth players around him.”

He continued: “I think it’s important to have similar age players close to you, I remember when I came through it was a lot of experienced players which was very different, but I feel like he will be able to fit right in with this generation of team coming through now. “I feel like he’s going to have a very good career.”

Livramento’s strength, pace and attacking quality could see him move further forward in a similar fashion to Bale, and Walcott gave a ringing endorsement of the Chelsea academy graduate’s attributes.

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He added: “Do you know what I can see from Tino is an aura about the place which has changed completely, when you get some confidence playing.

“He’s not as shy, timid around the place, he’s got a bit more of a presence and it just shows that there is a future star there. But we have got to be careful, like we always do, but it’s why we love football isn’t it, he’s been absolutely fantastic and I can’t complain.