Sentence:  The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month's corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has <WSD>persuaded</WSD> some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To successfully convince (someone) to agree to, accept, or do something, usually through reasoning and verbal influence. Compare sway.