Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has backed England's selection of Arsenal rookie Theo Walcott.
Redknapp knows all about Walcott after handing him his debut while at Southampton.
And the Portsmouth manager insists he has never seen anything like Walcott, 17, before.
He said: "I was a little surprised to see him included but the lad is a real talent. He has so much ability and his pace is frightening. He is quicker than anyone else I have seen.
"Seriously, the boy glides over the park. If he walked across a puddle, he wouldn't make a splash.
"He can run with the ball at tremendous speed and that can really hurt defences. Give him a bit of space and he will kill you."
Walcott is yet to make his Arsenal first-team debut but Redknapp, 59, does not think the teenager's lack of top-flight game time will be a handicap.
Redknapp - who yesterday agreed a bumper three-year contract at Portsmouth - said: "Yes, Theo is inexperienced but he is a great player to chuck on from the bench.
"He may still be a kid but he won't be daunted by mixing with the likes of Beckham and Gerrard. He is a confident lad. This could be a tactical master-stroke from Sven."
