Wilting Wilshere still has a World Cup chance - Qatar, not Russia
The obituaries are being written as we speak. Jack Wilshere’s international career can rest in peace. The family ask you don’t bring flowers.
No place in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, the little upstart from across north London Harry Winks has cut him off.
Wilshere won’t be able to show he’s getting back to where he needs to be against Germany and Brazil, some say that’s now it for one of the great forgotten English hopes.
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While the Lions are crying out for a passer, the player we all thought was going to go on to big things still hasn’t got it together. Having bones made of glass, and being reduced to a bit part when fit, means he can now forget about Russia.
It’s time Wilshere got his head around the fact that he won’t be going to this World Cup, and focused on the biggest year of his life that’s ahead.
It’s probably a sign of the time that talks over his contract, which ends in 2018, have yet to start. His worth is no longer what it was, and he knows it.
Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have a fast pass to the deal-brokers’ office. Our lad Jack is sat outside like a naughty and inconvenient student.
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A £90,000-per-week salary will surely be reduced, the hope of him getting that elsewhere are next to zero.
“Jack’s situation will be decided in December,” manager Arsene Wenger said. “I want to give him the first six months of the season not to think about that and then see where we go from there.
“We need to clear things up before the transfer window arrives. At the moment Jack is a little bit in conflict with Mesut Ozil in the position he plays. But ideally we want to keep both of them.”
Wilshere now must base his decision to stay or go on if the German remains.
If Ozil calls it a day, then a pathway to playing opens up. If he stays, then the chance to become the regular he needs to play for his country evaporates.
Breakdown
One more injury breakdown before the ink is dry on a deal, and the Gunners will probably make the decision for him.
International football should really be the last thing on his mind but it’s worth remembering, the midfielder is still only 25. He may have lost a yard of his trademark pace and may never get it back.
Russia is almost out of the question but Qatar in 2022 is theoretically when he should be at his peak.
Injuries he can’t help, but game time he can. He’s still too young to be written off, but may need to make a bold decision if he wants to be the players we all know he can be.
