Former West Ham midfielder Stewart Robson heaped praise on Jack Wilshere’s ability and even compared his talent to Paul Gascoigne.
The 53-year-old who was named the Hammers’ Player of the Year in 1988, as stated by the club’s website, complimented Wilshere’s knack for getting past his opponents easily with the ball.
Wilshere joined the Hammers this summer on a free transfer after his contract at Arsenal ended and put pen to paper on a three-year deal, as confirmed by the club’s website, with Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
“He’s somebody that goes past you with the ball, even if it’s only five or ten yards when he initially breaks the challenge, that enables you to see the next pas –that through ball,” said Robson on Jim White’s talkSPORT show,as quoted by the radio’s official website.
“And that’s what Jack Wilshere has got to get back to doing.
“He had 38 games for Arsenal last season; there was a period of about 12 where he looked to be back to his very best.
“And everyone was saying; ‘Can he get in the England squad?’
“I’m glad he didn’t go with England, I think it would have been a step too far for him just at the moment.
“I want to see him back to where he was four or five years ago where he was the best talent I’d seen from an English player since Paul Gascoigne.”
OPINION
It seems Robson is hoping that the Hammers see the best of Jack Wilshere in the upcoming season and he won’t be alone when it comes to wishing the best for the 5ft 6in tall midfielder (Transfermarkt). The retired midfielder knows how difficult life can be when your career is hampered by injuries as his time at the Hammers saw him constantly sidelined, so it’s easy to see why he appears to be personally rooting for Wilshere. It’s interesting that Robson has opted to make a Gazza comparison when talking about Wilshere’s ability as that is certainly huge praise indeed. Gascoigne is widely regarding as one of the most skilful English players to have ever graced the game so to be compared to him is a bit of honour. While Wilshere will no doubt appreciate the praise from a a well-known former Hammers player, the summer signing will no doubt just be aiming to work hard and regularly feature for Pellegrini’s side next season rather than have the spotlight focused on him.