The promising career of Jack Wilshere is in danger of stalling.
The quality is still there for all to see. Yet the quality is appearing in glimpses rather than in sustained bursts.
Expectations for Wilshere have been high from the very beginning. They were raised by one magnificent performance for Arsenal against Barcelona where it was universally agreed that Wilshere could easily have performed in the blue in red of Barca. His standard of passing and creativity matched those of Iniesta and Xavi.
Now Wilshere seems to be moving backwards. Not just in terms of performance but also in position. Rather than scheming and prompting as an advanced playmaker he is dropping ever deeper for club and country, turning from Iniesta to Pirlo. Of course, if he becomes as good as Pirlo then that is no loss at all. The problem is that it seems Wilshire is being sacrificed for others. Being made into something he is not to accommodate team mates at international and club level.
This needs to change. Jack Wilshere needs to be allowed to be Jack Wilshere, not Pirlo-lite.
Joining Manchester City would allow him to do this. And more.
Why Manchester City? Domestically it is the only realistic move. Chelsea and Manchester United are possible destinations but there is too much rivalry for someone who is seen as Arsenal through and through to make those moves. Liverpool could not afford the fee, which would surely be extremely high, and would be a move sideways at best. Only Manchester City could pay the fee, the wages and be seen as an acceptable move.
1 – Refocus
If Manchester City were to sign Wilshere it would be for a massive fee. There is no doubt about that. He should not be seen as stepping in for Fernando or Fernandinho in a deep role, nor for David Silva as their new no.10. Wilshere should be the long term replacement for Yaya Toure, who is 32 in May. Though not as powerful or athletic as Toure, Wilshere has the combination of work rate, dribbling skills and passing ability to be the hub of the team. It is common to see Toure striding forward with the ball, turning defence into attack. It was once common for Wilshere to do the same. Toure picks up a good number of assists with defence splitting passes, it is not hard to imagine Wilshere doing the same, if not more. Wilshere’s goal output has never been anywhere near Toure’s, but Toure was not prolific prior to joining City.
Playing in a more advanced role should also mean more protection for Wilshere.
2 – Injuries
On 26 November the Daily Mail ran a piece on Jack Wilshere’s injury problems. At that stage Wilshere had missed 119 weeks of football and played less than 95 league games in five years. That is an appallingly low number of games and appallingly high number of weeks out. Arsenal are beset with injury problems. This may be down to the way opponents think that they can stop Arsenal. It could be the way Arsenal train. Either way, while Arsene Wenger remains in charge the trend of injuries shows no sign of abating.
Jack Wilshere does not want to turn in Jamie Redknapp. A career that missed out on it’s full potential due to injury. At Arsenal Wilshere is now expected to provide the steal in the midfield. There can be little doubt that has added to the stress on his body and led to more injuries. If Wilshere joined City tomorrow there would be Fernando, Fernandinho and Toure to help look after him. Wilshere would not be the steal. His body could have a break and maybe not hold back his progress and career.
3 – Education
At club level Jack has only known manager, Arsene Wenger. He has only known one style of play. One way of winning and one way of losing. This point is not just relevant to Manchester City but to any other club. If Wilshere were to experience different methods, a different style and a different philosophy it can only make him a more complete footballer. He has had experience of different styles at international level but even this has been limited by those injuries. Since making his debut in 2010 WIlshere has only won 28 England caps. In the same period Neymar has won 60 caps.
Moving to Manchester City would be an opportunity to learn from different managers from different countries. Given City’s status these maangers are unlikely to be inexperienced or of low2 quality. City would be a great place to continue his development into a top class player.
4 – Trophies
Wilshere has won one major trophy at Arsenal, the FA Cup in 2014. Since 2011 Manchester City have won two league titles, the FA Cup and the league cup. Most observers would agree that it is probable that pattern will continue. Quite simply, Manchester City offer a better chance to win trophies. Arsenal remain an ambitious club, but they are a conservative club. The attitude is to be careful to stay within their means and see what trophies they pick up. The attitude at Manchester City is much more forceful and dynamic. They have the money and will spend it. The millions spent on the training complex is evidence of that, never mind the money sunk into the assets on the pitch.
5 – Champions League
Footballers want to compete at the highest level. The Champions League currently represents the highest level of footballer that can be consistently played. Only once we reach the finals of the World Cup do we see a level that surpasses the Champions League.
Arsenal have consistently qualified for the Champions League. It is the standout feature of Arsene Wenger’s reign. On one occasion they have gone close to winning the competition. The rest of the time Arsenal get out of the group stage then are beaten by a larger, more ambitious club.
At present that is better than Manchester City. As City had no history in the Champions League the groups they had been handed were incredibly tough. City needed to create a little history. Recently they have. Winning in Rome pushed them into the knock out stages.
The difference is ambition. Arsenal and Arsene Wenger are satisfied with qualification. It keeps the accountants happy. Manchester City want to win the competition. The billionaire owners are not worried about the accountants, they are worried about prestige, there is nothing more prestigious for clubs than the Champions League.
All of which would provide Wilshere with more opportunities to compete against the best on offer in club football. To stand toe to toe with giants and have a change to slay them. More opportunities to improve, develop and regain the reputation that is starting to slip away.
This is not in the best interest of Arsenal fans, of course it isn’t. As England fans, we need the best Jack Wilshere that can possibly be. The best possible Jack Wilshere, is not an Arsenal player. He is a Manchester City player.
Wilshere v Barcelona – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP_pCG9Cmio
Wilshere injuries – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2850076/Jack-Wilshere-missed-119-WEEKS-injury-played-just-95-league-games-past-five-years-crocked-ankle-set-four-months.html
Jack Wilshire – Who Scored – http://www.whoscored.com/Players/42686/Show/Jack-Wilshere
Yaya Toure – Who Scored – http://www.whoscored.com/Players/14053/