Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Jack: Kids getting it too handy
GARETH SOUTHGATE painted a sorry picture of English football when he claimed there have been no world class midfielders since Paul Gascoigne.
It was a frustrated cry for help from the Three Lions boss desperate for a naturally talented midfield general.
A decade ago, West Ham’s Jack Wilshere was supposed to be the bright new hope, the best midfielder of his generation but injuries have held him back.
And Wilshere, 26, believes some of today’s academy graduates lack an “edge” and need to go out on loan rather than settle for the less pressurised environment of reserve football.
“There are different ways of coming through, just as you’ve seen with Jamie Vardy,” said Wilshere. “Maybe some players don’t learn to get that edge, that tough streak.
“I was in an academy from a young age but I always had that edge. But then again, I played on the streets with my brother and older boys.”
Wilshere added: “I saw Southgate talk about
Gazza, and how he was so confident that when he played it was as if he was playing with his mates.
“It’s hard to get and not many players have got that confidence.
“I always enjoy playing for England, I was never scared.
I especially enjoyed it under (Roy) Hodgson with me in that deeper role.
“I could control the game and that was my best as an England player.
“I think with a bit of confidence you will see players express themselves more.”