When Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's father first taught him to kick a ball in the back garden he made sure his son became almost equally adept with both feet. By the time the boy turned seven, such proficiency had helped create a primary school sensation. Throw in a sprinter's turn of pace, augmented by adhesive control for one so young, and it was no surprise that Southampton academy scouts were drawn to Glenhurst school playing fields in Havant.
Although Mark Chamberlain had played for Portsmouth – where he would later become a coach – he harboured no divided loyalties. The former England winger simply felt Southampton academy's was right for his son, a hunch vindicated not only when Alex made his first-team debut at 16 but on Monday, as he joined Arsenal for £12m.
In recent years Gareth Bale, Wayne Bridge and Theo Walcott have emerged from a Southampton junior hothouse which came to the fore during the not overly popular Rupert Lowe's time in charge of the club. It was Lowe who appointed a French youth coach, Georges Prost, to emphasise technique while working with the juniors and even though Prost is now in Qatar, his technical legacy endures.
Oxlade-Chamberlain's eye-catching play in first central midfield and then on the wing soon ensured he stood out from peers who could merely envy his background. Not only did Alex's dad win eight England caps but his uncle, Neville Chamberlain, played in attack for Port Vale and Stoke City.
Both men have rarely tired of reminding him about the need for "end product". Oxlade-Chamberlain benefits from the rare ability to go outside his full-back and hit the byline before unleashing a centre – the youngster can also finish. He scored 11 goals in 43 appearances for Southampton, most coming last season as they won promotion to the Championship.
Slightly stronger on his right side – his preferred wing – but virtually equally capable with his left foot, Oxlade-Chamberlain further wowed scouts courtesy of an acute positional sense allied to the capacity to play with his "head up".
Signficantly the latter two qualities lead some observers to suspect he may eventually revert to a role in midfield. "I've always liked to play as a central midfielder," Oxlade-Chamberlain has said. "But recently I've been playing out wide and I feel happy there."
Whatever his location, the next step is sizeable; especially as Arsenal fans will crave a new hero to replace the soon to be departed Samir Nasri. Yet with not just Arsène Wenger but Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish among long-standing admirers of a creative player who turns 18 next Monday, a Premier League future has long beckoned.
Indeed earlier this year Mark Chamberlain predicted that his son could eclipse Walcott. "I've said I rate him higher than Walcott and everyone looked at me funny," he said. "But, as an all-round technical player, Alex has more to offer."
Paternal pride is, however, coupled with common sense. "I've told Alex it's nice being pretty on the ball but, if you don't have an end product then it's a waste of time," he added.
As a former professional he knows the game's pitfalls and regularly counsels his son against morphing into a Billy Big Boots.
"I'd hate Alex to become one of these young boys you see earning X pounds and acting like they've made it," Chamberlain has said. "He's fine at the moment but we'll keep an eye on him.
"He likes to read about himself in the papers and watch himself playing on television but he's a level-headed boy. After games he doesn't like fuss. Alex just wants to leave the ground and meet his mates."
Source: Loiuse Taylor, The Guardian on 8 Aug 11
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