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Sky Sports Scout - Alex Chamberlain

Sky Sports Scout is where we scour the globe looking for the best talent, here's Alex Chamberlain.

We run the rule over Southampton starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Sky Sports Scout is our exciting feature where we scour the globe looking out for the best talent and bring you a report on what we find. Our Scout will report back and you can comment on what you think of our appraisal. Also, in association with Football Manager, we give all readers the chance to win a copy of the latest game by nominating a player. You can only nominate a player by emailing here, including the word 'Scout' in your subject line and please check to make sure we haven't already covered the player, you can see over 100 previous reports to the right of the page. Should your player get reviewed by our scout, and you were first to send in his name, then you will win a copy of the all new Football Manager 2011. You can also now interact with the scout via his all new Twitter feed! You can get in touch with him and interact here or just search for @skysportscout! Latest under our scout's gaze is Southampton's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - recommended by Sky Sports reader Kyle Graham.

The scout reports...

The Sky Sports Scout returns for 2011 and first up for the New Year is Southampton's exciting young talent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Chamberlain is a product of the club's famed youth academy and has been with Southampton since he was seven after his father - former England man Mark - set up a trial with a club he once played for. Turning his back on possibly being an athlete or cricketer, Chamberlain soon emerged through the Saints academy. He was being tipped to make the breakthrough when he was just 14 and he did not have long to wait as he given his first-team debut in early 2010, aged just 16. Still only 17, he has now emerged as a first-team regular and is a key part of Nigel Adkins' side. He has also unsurprisingly been called into the England youth set-up and is a member of the Under 18 side. Chamberlain is now very much seen as Southampton's best prospect since Theo Walcott and he has drawn many comparisons to the Arsenal star. Both are regarded as wingers, but like with Walcott, Chamberlain is not an out-and-out wide man. He began life as a midfielder, and he has been actively encouraged by his father to continue working in the middle. Unlike Walcott, Chamberlain is well-built for his age and he can look more like a central midfielder in terms of stature, but his lightning pace makes it easy for him to play on the flanks. He has an excellent touch and his experience from playing more centrally means his passing range is somewhat better than a normal winger. Having a father who is an ex-pro has helped Chamberlain understand the game quicker than others his age, and he is an outstanding prospect.

The scout says...

Southampton have already tied him down to a long-term deal, but Premier League clubs are circling. He has many attributes to his game and he looks to have a huge future ahead of him. A real gem and very much one to keep an eye on.

The Scout rating...

Shooting: 8 out of 10 Passing: 8 out of 10 Tackling: 6 out of 10 Heading: 6 out of 10 Pace: 9 out of 10 Vision: 8 out of 10 Current ability: 7 out of 10 Potential ability: 10 out of 10 OVERALL SCOUT RATING: 62/80 Current value: £5million Potential value: £15million
Your opinion...
You have read our opinion of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - now we want your views. Have you seen Oxlade-Chamberlain in action? Do you agree with our assessment? Do you think he will make it? Get in touch, either using the form below, email or the scout's all new Twitter feed - @skysportsscout And if you have spotted anyone you think we should feature then please get in touch using the same form. We will look to send out the Scout to follow up your leads.