Written by : @ciaran_judge

Capped by England at 18, praised by all who encountered him as one of the most technically gifted players of his generation – Jack Wilshere seemed set to be an Arsenal and England stalwart. Injuries, lack of form and his son’s illness have all taken their toll on the gifted midfielder – but at 27, he still has enough time left in his career to scale those heights again.

Let’s be brutally honest. Without the issues he has faced, Wilshere would not be at West Ham right now. If things were different, he should have been that vital link man that was missing in England’s midfield at last year’s World Cup. Wilshere has huge talent and has proved it in both the Champions League and at International level earning praise from such luminaries as Dani Alves and Gennaro Gattuso as well as drawing comparisons to his mentor, and former West Ham player, Liam Brady.

So, where does he fit at West Ham? If fit and in form he cannot be ignored, but a midfield three containing Rice, Wilshere and Noble is not the most athletic. The trio started against Liverpool last year and were blown away by the pace and dynamism of Liverpool’s midfield.

Pellegrini has played Wilshere further up the pitch, almost in a number 10 role, but we have Lanzini and Anderson who can play that role and offer a greater goal threat than Wilshere. Wilshere’s strength lays in his ability to run with the ball and to keep the ball moving. His ability to receive the ball in tight areas on the half turn cannot be questioned, but do West Ham play in a way that will see the team get the most out of Wilshere’s undoubted attributes? And is Wilshere fit enough to be the fulcrum of the side this season?

The comparison to Andy Carroll is perhaps obvious, but still valid – both have huge attributes but similar questions. Firstly, are they fit enough, and secondly, how do they fit into West Hams style of play? Wilshere is potentially is one of the best Midfielders in the country and having a player of that quality is undoubted a bonus for the team. Last season West Ham struggled when the onus was on us to create. Our results against the so-called lesser teams illustrate this. Wilshere has the attributes that would benefit the team in that area.

Wilshere’s ability to circulate the ball to the likes of Anderson, Lanzini et al will be a huge benefit to our attacking play, giving the team the ability to not be so reliant on the counter attack (which is difficult to utilise when you have more of the ball as we tend to against the “lesser” teams, particularly at home.)

A fit and focussed Wilshere can only be a benefit and must start, but question marks remain about his fitness. Next season is a pivotal one for Wilshere; if he can play most of the season, West Ham could really make that famed “next step” as he is unlike any player we have in his position.

Jack’s  best position is at the base of midfield dictating play, letting Rice win possession and Wilshere and Noble transition the ball to our more creative players. If fit, Wilshere plays and, hopefully, he will be a big part in a successful campaign in what is an extremely important season for both the player and the club.