Few youngsters can live up to the hype of being the next “Maldini”. But if the friendly between England and Denmark are anything to go by, Jack Wilshere may just be the savior of English football.
For quite some time now, people have touted Wilshere as the next big thing in world football. But until this season there was nothing but hype to surround the youngster. He was yet to show his talent at the top level.
But this season he has been an absolute revelation and the England vs Denmark game only affirmed that thought.
We have seen it time and time again in football. A highly talented youngster comes up and the media and the rest of the football world cannot stop talking about him. What happens in the end is that he fails to realize his immense potential and just fades into the oblivion.
With Wilshere the first part has already been done. Following his performances in last season’s Emirates Cup, football fans around the world proclaimed him as England’s savior.
From that day onward Jack Wilshere has had the hope and expectations of an entire nation resting on his shoulders.
But it’s not just the hopes of a nation. He also carries on him the hopes of Arsenal FC, a team that looks destined for greatness in the coming years. Arsenal fans including me are hoping to see him lead Arsenal to glory in the coming years.
After seeing him play, it’s fairly obvious that all the hype has been justified.
Wilshere plays with a maturity that belies his age. He is calm and composed on the ball and rarely gives up the ball. Wilshere plays with a certain panache that makes him such a joy to watch.
Wilshere is just 5 ft 7 in and yet he never backs down from a physical challenge and is more than willing to tough it out with the big guys.
Last season Wilshere found it difficult to break into Arsenal first team and featured just 7 times for the Gunners. This season he has played 31 games for Arsenal and has impressed greatly.
He has matured a great deal over the past year which is largely due to his loan deal with Bolton Wanderers. His spell under Owen Coyle benefited him great deal. The spell ensured him first team football and played a crucial role in his maturation as a player.
This season he has played in an unfamiliar deep lying role and despite this he has been brilliant.
For Arsenal he plays along with Song in front of the defenders and this partnership allows him to venture forward which he does with great success. His rise has allowed the likes of Fabregas, Nasri a freer role.
Despite playing in a different role, he has thrived. His dribbling, control and vision have been magical this season despite playing in an unfamiliar role.
He can play in several roles across the midfield and can even fill the position behind the striker. His versatility makes him all the more important for both club and country.
He along with Aaron Ramey have been touted as the future of Arsenal’s midfield. Both are highly talented and comparisons have already been made with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta.
His recent performances have justified the title and with Ramey close to making a comeback, the future looks very bright for the duo.
But the pressure to perform at the international level is much more that that at club level, simply because the fact that Arsenal have several other talented youngsters while England have very few who fit the mould of Wilshere.
For some time now England have lacked a player with the vision, creativity and flair that can make a difference. As a reason England have disappointed on the international stage and have struggled.
Many see Jack Wilshere as the solution to this problem. He possesses the creativity and flair required to be creative force that England so desperately need.
England have 2 other highly talented midfielders who have been the centre of a lot of talk. These 2 players are Jack Rodwell and Josh McEachran. Many hope for the 3 of them to carry England forward and to lead the Three Lions to glory.
All this has resulted in tremendous pressure on the youngster. So many people have started to believe that he will wither away as a result of all the pressure and hopes.
This is understandable. History has given us the likes of Freddy Adu, players blessed with immense potential only to end up struggling. Many expect Wilshere to end up flattering only to deceive.
But so far this season he has faced the pressure and has responded to it with solid performances. For Arsenal he has put in solid performances and even in the big matches has looked composed and assured. Against the likes of Chelsea he looked perfectly at ease and wasn’t troubled by the pressure or by the weight of expectations.
Before the England and Denmark friendly, England coach, Fabio Capello stated that Wilshere could become the next “Maldini and Raul”. Many believe that statements like this will only bring about his downfall. But maybe such claims can do good.
Jack Wilshere, prior to Wednesday’s friendly had played just the once for England. Capello with that claim has shown the youngster that he supports him fully and has displayed his trust and faith in the youngster.
Despite all the pressure surrounding him this season he has looked perfectly at ease.
The friendly between England and Denmark only confirmed the growing belief that Wilshere will lead England to glory.
Jack Wilshere is only 19 and he still has a long way to go. If he keeps going like this he can become England’s savior.
Sky is the limit for England’s Jack Wilshere.
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