West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has compared new signing Jack Wilshere to legendary midfielder Andrea Pirlo.
Wilshere signed for the Hammers this summer from Arsenal, following the expiration of his contract with the Gunners, and is set to face his former club this weekend.
West Ham’s midfield had been criticised by former manager Sam Allardyce for being too slow, but Pellegrini praised Wilshere’s technical ability instead. As quoted by The Telegraph, cited in Sports Mole, Pellegrini said:
If you need fast players they [Wilshere and Mark Noble] cannot do it. But if you need good technical players that do not lose any balls, then they can play together.
A lot of you will remember Juventus around four or five years ago, they played with one holding midfielder. It was Pirlo. And Pirlo is the same as Jack. He has the same characteristics as Jack.
I think that Jack Wilshere must play as Jack Wilshere. He is not a defensive midfielder to hold the line. He is a midfielder more comfortable when he comes out from our side and not receiving the ball back from the other goal. You must leave him to play alone, to receive the ball because he is going to make things happen.
West Ham will be hoping they come out on top against Arsenal this weekend, with both sides yet to pick up a point.
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