Although Jack Wilshere only started his first game of the season, his selection in the England squad for Euro 2016 was made on merit according the Roy Hodgson.
The England manager called the Arsenal man a ‘special’ player, as criticism over his decision was rife earlier today when the squad was announced.
The midfielder made a significant contribution to the England side in the qualifying rounds, and that has played a part in the manager’s decision to take him to France this summer.
“Jack is there on merit,” he said. “He is a special player. We don’t have lots and lots of Jack Wilsheres available. There are other areas on the field where my choice is very great.
“Is he the type of player that could really help us as a starter or as a substitute because maybe he has different qualities to some of the others midfield players we’ve got? The answer was yes.
“To select him in a group of 26 was a very easy thing to do. Would I have liked him to be playing week-in, week-out for the Arsenal? Of course I would.
“He deserves the chance to show he is fit and capable of playing at the level he was playing for us in the autumn and I have at least a couple of matches when I can test those things out.”
The 26 man selection has to be trimmed down to 23, and unless he suffers another injury, there’s little chance Wilshere won’t make the cut.
From an Arsenal point of view there’s no point worrying about him picking up a knock on international duty. He’s hardly played at all this season, so it won’t be fatigue, and he’s got to play at some stage.
If some summer football helps get him up to speed for next season then all the better.
“The Arsenal”
Ace
Beat me to it. He’s gone up in my estimations.
Good luck to him. Wilshere not Roy.
with Rosicky gone, my thoughts turn to getting a new shirt 7 with Enzo on it. that I can keep for 45 years.
I would like to see him play at the base of midfield a la Pirlo for the Arsenal too. One, because he has the passing and intelligent football brain to play the deep play maker role, and two, because it would leave him far less at risk of picking up the injuries he tends to pick up when he sticks his foot in.
I hope Jack can get a good pre season out of it and give us 30+ games next season.
I do think he is super quality 🙂
they are having a hissy fit coz he doesnt run araaaand often.smh
And, I would like him to be named captain next year…
Anything else
I really dont understand why so many English supporters are against Wilshere being in the squad? He is the best mid-fielder you have got, when on song. He is the closest you will get to a Steven Gerrard. He might be a different kind of a player but still, quality wise I would definitely say Wilshere, when fit is right up there and people want some West Ham player. Goodness me! You guys should be questioning Fabian Delph’s selection instead. And Townsend’s selection baffles me. Theo would have been much better than him atleast. One good freekick in the PL… Read more »
He’s absolutely right. Comparing the difference in quality between Wilshere and the rest of the English midfield is like comparing a sabertooth with a bunch of lame cats.,,
…still remembering when Chelsea-fans insisted Josh Mcwhateverhisname was a bigger talent than Wilshere ???
Too right he deserves a call up.. He and Welbeck almost single-handedly ensured qualification.
Do people just forget he won six man of the match awards in his last 7 England games?
And the other was Wele!
Other than the lack of playing time, I really don’t see why people are fussing over Jack’s inclusion. He offers something different compared to the midfielders England currently have. Unless he picks a knock in these friendlies, he will be in the 23 for sure, maybe even in the starting 11. It would be great if he came back from the Euros with a few games under his belt, and unscathed. He will hopefully even get a good pre-season and kick on from there- I mean, it’s not as if England are going all the way, is it? *ducks*
All this fuss and angst over Jack and his inclusion.
He’ll probably end up being England’s best player of the tournament.
What will they say then?
I think we all know the answer to that.
I sometimes search “Wilshere” on Twitter during England games, as some sort of unscientific social experiment. What results is typically an ocean of abuse (even on the day he scored twice, FFS), with the occasional Arsenal fan sticking up for him. I honestly wonder why he even bothers playing for the national team, given all that.
England has enough players who can run arrroooouuunnnd. If they can get Wilshere fit for the Euros, his selection is a no brainer.
Exactly. Wilshere is the only English midfielder that brings guile to the table. Alli, henderson, barkley, are all similar one way or the other.
As the first line of the article states, “there’s no debate to be had.”
Respect to Roy Hodgson both for taking no nonsense over Wilshere’s inclusion, and for preventing his own head from exploding in front of the press. Never have I seen a head so red. Thank you Roy for preventing unnecessary loss of life.
Now we just need drinkwater to shield all the late tackles so that his ankles don’t explode.
Jack Wilshere with the ball, Harry Kane makes a great run, Wilshere doesn’t pass, there’s another great run from Dele Alli, Wilshere REFUSES to pass, goes himself, GOALLLLLL!!! What a hit from Jack Wilshere!!! Fuck Tottenham!!! –commentator
If it’s on merit then Walcott deserves a call up. He does a job for England more than Townsend or that Rashford but I doubt he could be arsed anyway, not with the Rio Olympics coming up shortly.