Jack Wilshere faces a massive pre-season to convince West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini that he is worthy of a starting berth next term, according to Football.London journalist Sam Inkersole.
The 27-year-old made just four Premier League starts last season, with just four more appearances from the bench, as he suffered another injury ravaged campaign.
And Inkersole claims that the coming weeks could be make or break for the England international as he looks to force his way back into his manager’s plans.
Writing in a piece for Football.London, he said: “It’s a massive pre-season for Wilshere after enduring yet another injury-plagued campaign in 2018/19 where he missed 30 Premier League games thanks to two separate ankle problems.
“The midfielder now has increased competition for his spot in the team thanks to the arrival of Fornals from Villarreal and Pellegrini’s plan to play the new recruit and Manuel Lanzini in the same team.
“Wilshere is on a big-money contract in the capital and if he struggles with injury again, serious questions will be asked about his future. The midfielder needs a solid pre-season to impress Pellegrini and force his name into the picture or he could be on the sidelines once again.”
OPINION
How can you not feel sorry for Jack Wilshere? The midfielder is undoubtedly one of the finest natural talents this country has produced in many years, but his abysmal injury record has prevented him from ever getting up a good enough head of steam to properly reach his full potential. He still has the quality to be a top player for the Hammers though. Last season, during his brief cameos here and there, he recorded a pass success ratio of 89.8%, and was dispossessed just 0.9 times per match, as reported by Whoscored. Wilshere is top drawer on his day, and anybody who says otherwise hasn’t seen him in full flight. But the fact of the matter is that all of his injury problems have ensured that it just isn’t his day often enough. If he can get himself right this summer, maybe he can kick on and become a key player for the Hammers, but if not, he could face another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
