Rio Ferdinand has supported Gareth Southgate’s decision to not include Jack Wilshere in England’s National squad for the World Cup.
The former Manchester United legend fully supports the exclusion of Jack Wilshere in England’s squad for the World Cup 2018 in Russia. “Why would you take him?” Ferdinand, who has 81 caps for his country said, according to a report by the English Publication Daily Mail.
“I didn’t disagree with the midfield choices he took. He can count on all the others physically. I’ve been there with teams where we’ve had players coming in a little bit unfit and it does leave uncertainty in a squad. Even with Wayne Rooney, David Beckham in 2002, it can destabilize a squad. However small it is, it does spread,” Rio Ferdinand said.
Whereas, Jack Wilshere is hesitant to settle terms with the decision after he was informed that he would not be on the plane to Russia, claiming he would have had a positive impact on the Three Lions.
“I’m incredibly disappointed to have been left out of the England squad for the World Cup,” he wrote on Twitter after the team announcement. “I felt fit, sharp and strong all season and believe I should have been in the squad, and given the chance, I could have made a real impact.”
Jack Wilshere, who showed his disappointment on Twitter, returned to Arsenal last season after a loan spell at Bournemouth. He appeared in 38 games for Arsenal in the 2017-18 season and bagged 2 goals and 5 assists.
Many believe that the 26-year-old had a comparatively good season with Arsenal, as he maintained his fitness level and gave decent performances for the North London club. Even Gareth Southgate accepted that Wilshere had improved his performance level last season, but he believes that he got better alternates for the tournament.
“Wilshere has of course been in our thoughts, but we had opted to stick with players who appeared in pre-tournament friendlies, with the exception of Delph, who had a fantastic season with the champions,” Southgate said.
Southgate named his final 23-man squad for the upcoming tournament in Russia ahead of their warm-up victories against Nigeria and Costa Rica and chose to leave Wilshere at home.
“Jack had a good spell this season, but he was maybe not as effective towards the end of the season,” Southgate added. “We’re very open-minded in terms of what we want.”
Gareth Southgate has preferred to take the likes of Dele Alli, Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard and Eric Dier with him to Russia, who have impressed Southgate in all the warm-up matches.
Eric Dier, Dele Alli, and Jesse Lingard looked guaranteed in England’s lineup after a week ago’s 2-1 triumph over Nigeria, while Jordan Henderson took Harry Kane’s Captain’s armband well, as he drove England to a 2-0 victory against Costa Rica at the Elland Road on Thursday night.
Following these performances, and considering their endeavours all through a tiresome Premier League season, Ferdinand believes that Wilshere has not matched to his midfield rivals at consistency or results.
“If you’re going to play him in an attacking midfield role he doesn’t add up to someone like Dele Alli, someone like Jesse Lingard, in terms of getting goals and assists or making things happen in the final third. His stats can’t live with them.”
“Jack has got a great talent, don’t get me wrong, but if he’s an attacking midfielder in today’s game, he’s got to be nicking 10-15 goals a season and likewise with assists. He doesn’t get those numbers.”
“Is he going to play a holding role? That’s where I’d have played him, but has he done enough? Is he experienced in that position? Has he done more effectively than Henderson this season? I wouldn’t say so. Eric Dier does it effectively for Spurs.” Rio Ferdinand said.
Jack Wilshere last appeared for England under Roy Hodgson in Euro 2016 against Iceland, after that his inclusion to the National squad has not been possible because of the emergence of new talented players into the team, especially in midfield. So his elimination from the National team does seem justified and fair.
Although, Wilshere is disappointed for his exclusion in England’s squad but promised to support his teammates at national duty.
“However, I have to respect the manager’s decision and would like to wish the whole squad all the very best for the tournament. I will always be an England fan and will be supporting the boys with the rest of the nation.’” Jack Wilshere wrote on Twitter.
