Jermaine Jenas asked former West Ham midfielder Jack Collison whether Jack Wilshere’s injury blow had effectively been a blessing for Manuel Pellegrini.
The BBC pundit wasted no time asking the intriguing question when on BBC 5 Live Radio with Collison on Friday night, with the Hammers currently enjoying a good run of form while Wilshere on the sidelines.
“Would you say that the injury to Jack Wilshere had done Pellegrini a favour?” asked Jenas on BBC 5 Live’s Big Weekend Preview (which can be heard here, 23:02 minute mark).
Collison laughed about being put on the spot before providing a detailed response that highlighted the recent displays of Declan Rice in the process.
“Good question, look I think Jack Wilshere is a massively talented player, i think there’s no doubt about that” the current Hammers’ U-16 manager responded.
“I think the unfortunate thing for Wilshere was Pellegrini wasn’t set in his formation, wasn’t set on a lot of players around him, and I think when he is back, I think you’ll see a more settled side.
“The players around him have settled in the Premier League and hopefully we’ll be able to see the best of him, but you have to say without him in the side, Declan Rice has really gone on to shine and gone to another level that West Ham fans didn’t think he’d get to so soon.
“He’s played 39 or 40 games for the first-team, but he’s looking like a veteran, the way he’s slowing down play when we’re in trouble and you’d have to say that’s came about from Wilshere being injured.”
OPINION
Collison clearly didn’t want to go on record and say yes directly, but his answer implies Wilshere’s injury hasn’t exactly had a negative impact. The 26-year-old summer signing struggled in his first outings for the Hammers this season before cruelly being ruled out of action due to an ankle injury. Wilshere, whose injury record is a long read, recently suffered another blow to his ambitions to regularly feature for the Hammers, as Sky Sports recently reported that his return date had been pushed back to November. Hopefully once November comes around Wilshere is raring to go and can make a positive impact at the London Stadium. It’s hard to not feel sorry for the midfielder as his heart seems to be in the right place, but injury’s and poor performances aren’t exactly going to make him look a worthwhile signing in hindsight. As for Collison’s assessment he’s spot-on to point out Rice has benefited from the midfielder’s injury.
