Rangers are the odds-on favourites to sign Jack Wilshere after the England cap was released from his West Ham contract earlier in the week.
One former teammate has praised the 28-year old’s attitude after agreeing to leave the Premier League side rather than picking up a hefty wage packet without ever seeing game time, Paul Robinson, speaking to Football Insider, claims that Wilshere will be motivated to prove the doubters wrong at his next club.
So what has Robinson said?
When asked if he feels that Wilshere still has something to offer at the highest level, he said:
“He obviously wants to go and play football and that’s quite refreshing to see.
“The fact he’s not just sat there picking up his wage and he’s said in his statement that he’s been fit for the last eight months and just not been utilised.
“He’s not wanted to rest on his laurels and pick up his wage packet so you’ve got to give him credit.
“Someone is always going to take Jack Wilshere, he’s a very good player.
“Yes, he has had his injury problems but you can see now just from his statement that he’s hungry. He’s obviously fit and wants to play.
“Whoever gets him will probably get a very, very focused very, very different Jack Wilshere to the one from six or seven years ago.”
So is Robinson correct?
There has never been any doubting Wilshere’s ability or commitment but his career has always been caveated with “when he’s fit” or “if you can keep him fit” when assessing how good he can be.
Robinson is right though, given his injury history, it would have been easy for him just to turn up for training and collect his salary without risking his body every Saturday but having been a Premier League player since the age of 16, money – obviously – isn’t everything.
Wilshere?
Yes
No
A move to Rangers, if it comes off, would be perfect. He’d be able to rotate with Steven Davis in the engine room so that neither player is expected to play 50-60 games, keeping them fresh for when they are needed, a “focussed” Jack Wilshere would be a huge coup for Steven Gerrard, if he can get the deal over the line.