Jack Wilshere believes Manuel Pellegrini may have a selection headache on his hands this season with competition for places expected to be wild, but does the former Arsenal man deserve a starting spot?
Speaking exclusively to whufc.com ahead of this weekend’s Premier League opener as champions Manchester City visit the London Stadium, Wilshere sounded ready for a battle to prove his worth to the team:
The intensity levels in training are high and you have to train well every day. If everyone manages to stay fit, the manager’s going to have a big problem. It’s down to me and the individuals to make it clear to the manager that we have to play.
Read West Ham’s verdict
Jack Wilshere is a brilliant footballer to watch on his day, and he only adds quality to the Hammers’ midfield options along with Declan Rice, Mark Noble and Carlos Sanchez.
Get him on the ball and you’re instantly looking dangerous going forward with his eye for a pass and occasional flair on display.
In my eyes though, with Noble still performing at such a high level, it’s incredibly difficult to see Pellegrini opting for anything other than the captain and poster boy Declan Rice in the holding role.
If he’s sticking with the 4-1-4-1 system he preferred last season though, that would leave one position alongside Noble in midfield with you’d think will be initially occupied by new signing Pablo Fornals.
Lanzini has been tested, and shone, out wide which could leave Fornals and Wilshere battling for that final midfield spot. However, if it’s a 4-2-3-1 formation you’d expect Noble and Rice to be the two probing the middle of the park.
