6:00am Saturday 6th March 2010
By Simon Walter
THE progress made by the latest 16-year-old to graduate from the Saints academy to the first team has been likened to Gareth Bale.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain became the SECOND youngest debutant in Saints’ history when he came on for the last ten minutes of the 5-0 League One win against Huddersfield at St Mary’s on Tuesday.
Only Theo Walcott has played for Saints at a younger age, and the midfielder’s rapid development this season has reminded reserve team manager Stewart Henderson of Bale’s meteoric progress in 2005-06.
Henderson said: “Alex has made a lot of progress in the last year.
“He’s always looked a good footballer but we were a bit worried about his pace and athleticism, but in the last year he’s come on in leaps and bounds in that respect.
“He’s more athletic, gets about the pitch well has very good control and has looked really good.
“I saw him a couple of times for the under-16s last season when there were certain things he now has in his locker that were missing."
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