Former England boss and legend Glenn Hoddle believes Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is thriving in his new midfield role for the Three Lions.
The Englishman has recently been played in a deeper lying role for the National team, which some people have claimed is a waste of his attacking talents.
However Glenn feels the youngster’s ability to pass, find space and move with the ball is not wasted in defensive positions, but it is perhaps even more useful there.
According to Daily Mail, he said:
At the start of the season there were question marks over Jack Wilshere and when Roy Hodgson asked him to play slightly deeper in the England midfield people wondered whether he would be up to the mark.
From what we’ve seen so far, he’s making us re-evaluate him as player. Let’s be clear that it’s very early days and his real tests in what is a very demanding position are yet to come. But from what we’ve seen so far, he has every right to be encouraged by the way he has adapted to the role.
Wilshere is showing skills and facets of his game which we haven’t seen before. It’s actually making him a better player. I’ve always thought that he needed to play the ball earlier and quicker than he sometimes has done with Arsenal; playing in this role, he is forced to do exactly that.
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Arsene Wenger has him down as a box-to-box midfielder and we typically think of him bursting down the pitch. But he’s looking for the early pass now. He has to look forward quicker, is releasing the ball earlier and is hitting passes over the back of people.
Wilshere has always been known for his ability to burst past players and create goals, with the attacking side of his game always drawing more praise and attention than the defensive side. However, he has the ability to turn defence into attack in a split second, either with one of his trademark dribbles or a burst of speed or with a pinpoint pass.
Wenger has often played him in an attacking role but with the youngster producing another fine deep performance the French manager could and perhaps should change his mind.
Were you impressed with Wilshere’s performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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