Don’t expect much from us
Wilshere cautious over England’s World Cup hopes
LONDON: England midfielder Jack Wilshere has played down World Cup expectations but believes the Russian showpiece could be a stepping stone towards a brighter future for Gareth Southgate’s inexperienced team.
The Arsenal player is hoping to win his first cap in nearly two years in warm-up friendlies against Holland and Italy after battling back to recover his place in Arsene Wenger’s team this season.
The squad Wilshere has rejoined is a far cry from the one he first broke into as a highly promising 18-year-old in 2010.
Shorn of talismanic striker Harry Kane through injury, Southgate’s 27-man group is desperately thin on players performing regularly at the highest level.
“It’s completely different. I remember the first time I walked into an England squad, I went for dinner the first time and there was (Wayne) Rooney, (Frank) Lampard, (Steven) Gerrard, (Rio) Ferdinand, (John) Terry – big players who I had watched growing up,” Wilshere said at England’s training base.
“It’s a different feel now. There’s more young players, there’s more of a group I think and there’s more of a plan towards the future.”
Wilshere’s last outing in an England shirt was not one to remember as Roy Hodgson’s side were embarrassed 2-1 by Iceland at Euro 2016 – extending England’s long wait for a first win in the knockout phase of a major tournament, which they have not achieved since 2006.
And he stressed that big expectations should not be piled onto the shoulders of a young squad, despite excellent results at youth tournaments that have boosted hopes of a brighter future.
England’s Under-20 and Under17 sides won their respective World Cups last year.
“The World Cup is a massive thing for us and we want to do well.
“We don’t want to set ourselves any targets but I think going through after the World Cup the group is in a good position,” he added.
“If you look over the past years, especially Rio (before World Cup 2014) – we were confident going into that and it didn’t work out. And with this group of players, it wouldn’t be fair.”
In a career blighted by injury, Wilshere has managed to marry a prolonged spell of form and fitness, making 31 appearances already this season.
England’s pain could be Wilshere’s gain, as a lack of compe- tition for places in central midfield means he is now well-placed for at the very least a place in Southgate’s squad for the summer.
“I have always had the confidence in myself and felt that if I got in there I could put in the performances that would give me the opportunity to be back here with England,” he said.
“I have always loved playing for England. It is the top level for any player.
“I am at an age now where I get it and it means a lot to me.” — AFP