Wilshere can be our version of Pirlo, says Pellegrini

West Ham manager puts his trust in midfielder Emery wishes former Arsenal player well

Manuel Pellegrini believes Jack Wilshere can become West Ham United’s answer to Juventus and Italy legend Andrea Pirlo as the midfielder prepares for his return to Arsenal.

Wilshere is poised to face Arsenal for the first time tomorrow, just three games into his West Ham career, and Pellegrini is confident that the 26-year-old can still live up to the billing given to him during his early days at the Emirates.

Pellegrini’s praise comes as Unai Emery, the Arsenal head coach, said Wilshere left the club in order to become the “protagonist” of West Ham’s new era at the London Stadium.

Sam Allardyce, the former West Ham and England manager, has claimed Wilshere and Mark Noble are too slow to play together in midfield following consecutive defeats by Liverpool and Bournemouth.

Noble is a doubt for the trip to Arsenal, but Pellegrini is convinced that Wilshere, who joined on a free transfer after 17 years in north London, is best suited to a sitting role in the West Ham midfield – whether he is partnered by Noble or not.

“If you need fast players they cannot do it,” the West Ham manager said. “But if you need good technical players that do not lose any balls, then they can play together.

“A lot of you will remember Juventus around four or five years ago, they played with one holding midfielder. It was Pirlo. And Pirlo is the same as Jack. He has the same characteristics as Jack.”

Responding directly to Allardyce’s assessment, Pellegrini added: “That is his opinion. I know him and I respect him, and everyone has his opinion.

“I think that Jack Wilshere must play as Jack Wilshere. He is not a defensive midfielder to hold the line. He is a midfielder more comfortable when he comes out from our side and not receiving the ball back from the other goal.

“You must leave him to play alone, to play the moment, to receive the ball because he is going to make things happen.”

Pellegrini was the manager of Malaga when Wilshere, aged 19, produced a superb performance in Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Barcelona. The Chilean does not remember Wilshere’s display, but insists the former England international still has time to fulfil his potential.

“I think everyone praised Jack Wilshere not just for one game because if he could play in a normal shape without injury, he was always a player who makes a difference because he is a different player,” said Pellegrini.

“I am sure [we will see that Wilshere again] because he is just 26 years old. Because he knows better how he must manage his physical work, so as not to be injured. This season we are working with him from July 1, 40 to 50 days, and he’s not having any problems.

“He just has to recover his trust in what he can do. Maybe his career was not all his top [form], because he had a lot of injuries. So I think at this moment we must give him trust, let him play, because I repeat what I said: he is a different player and he will do it.”

Wilshere decided to leave Arsenal following a conversation with Emery, who told him he would not be guaranteed a place in the team. Upon leaving, Wilshere said Emery had made it clear his “playing time would be significantly reduced”.

Emery yesterday said that his conversation with Wilshere was “very clear”, adding that he wishes him the best for his career at West Ham.

“One thing is important for him – to be the protagonist in a new project,” Emery said. “Because maybe here he would not be the protagonist each match on the pitch. It is a more competitive situation for him to play. The first conversation was in this direction. With respect, from everyone. Respect for his decision, respect for my decision.”

The Arsenal head coach said Wilshere’s return to the Emirates provided a chance for the home fans, with whom Wilshere has said he enjoyed a “special relationship”, to remember their former player.

“I wish him the best in his career at West Ham – not Saturday! Before the match we can remember him, and then over 90 minutes we are thinking about winning.”