Rohit wrote: In my decade and a half of watching football, i don't think there has been a better English talent than Wilshere. I think he passed the pressure test last night and all those who people believe failed the pressure test previously weren't simply that good. As long as he remains humble and right in the head he will be fine. Also as Captain says, he has been thrown in early and the biggest threat to him is injury.
In my decade and a half of watching football, i don't think there has been a better English talent than Wilshere.
I think he passed the pressure test last night and all those who people believe failed the pressure test previously weren't simply that good.
As long as he remains humble and right in the head he will be fine. Also as Captain says, he has been thrown in early and the biggest threat to him is injury.
For those with longer memories, how does he compare to Gazza. The only Gazza game I remember is that unfortunate semi-final against us in 1991 and he was excellent in that game. Otherwise didn't watch much of the man in league games.
I was going to say, the only English players I've seen who have anything like his technical ability were Hoddle and Gazza.
But in terms of his touch, and his awareness of what's going on immediately around him, the best comparisons are Brazilian and Argentinian, not English.
Waddle, Le Tissier, Scholes...?
Gazza was more dynamic from what I remember of him which isn't much because I would have been around 6/7 years old when he was really doing it. I suspect that he would play wide now.
Beckham as well was an amazing footballer for a while, sometimes you forget that because of his fame and hype.
In terms of all-round technique, he's nowhere near Wilshere. A sensational passer of the ball though.
I think Wilshere's ceiling is a lot higher than Scholes too, from a technical perspective certainly.
What do you mean by 'all-round technique'?
I'm just randomly naming english players that were quality. Beardsley and Mcmanaman.
McManaman was tasty once upon a time. So easy to forget due to the injuries.
I have always liked and thought very highly of Scholes, but i think Wilshere has the ability to be much better than him.
Last one before the thread goes completely off-topic:
It's a shame he never really did it for England. Maybe one of my favourite non-arsenal players for a long time.
To be clear, I'm talking about his ability on the ball, things like balance, touch, skill, and awareness of those immediately around him.
'Technique' is a horrible word, can be so vague and unclear. Shouldn't have used it.
Who's the last one Capi? No Youtube at work.
Sorry, it's just a video of McManaman. I made it sound like it was someone else.
Wilshere hasn't been as good as he was last night for the whole season. He was very average in some games too. The way he worked with the ball in some very tight spaces last night when surrounded by 3 Barca players who were breathing down his neck within seconds of him receiving the ball was incredible.
Someone like Scholes doesn't have that in my opinion.
Le Tissier was an absolute freak but not really one to pick a pass.
I'd say Wilshere will never do any of the stuff Le Tissier used to do but he's probably going to be far more useful.
Now this is over the course of about 100 years of football, but Scholes has got it.
actually, looking at it properly, it looks to be from just one or two seasons.
Scholes doesn't really get the credit he deserves as a great English midfielder. He's been far better than Gerrard or Lampard over his career. Better than Gazza too. The thing about Gazza is he was fun to watch and a massive character. He was a very flarey player but I can't remember him ever doing the things Jack does. He won fuck all too, if you don't win things it makes a big difference.
When he started the first game of the season at Liverpool I was questioning Wenger's sanity. It's incredible how much he has improved. Brilliant little player and one of the first names on the team sheet for me now.
Burnwinter wrote: Le Tissier was an absolute freak but not really one to pick a pass. I'd say Wilshere will never do any of the stuff Le Tissier used to do but he's probably going to be far more useful.
Le Tiss had no drive though. No ambition. Happy to stand around at Southampton scoring amazing goals. He could have left plenty of times but he didn't. All the talent in the world but just lacked that hunger the best players have.
I dunno about that, I think Scholes gets plenty of credt.
And rightly so, I suppose.
