Mod takes the Ballon
Pellegrini says Wilshere can earn England recall
vMANUEL PELLEGRINI has vowed to help “£100million” Jack Wilshere back into Gareth Southgate’s England plans.
The 26-year-old is fit again after three months out and ready to fight for a place in the West Ham team.
But Wilshere has already made it clear that he still sees an international future for himself. Pellegrini intends to do what he can to make that happen. “Jack is just 26 and has the quality to play in the national team,” he said. “In football, the most important thing is the quality. “You either have it or you don’t.
“After that, there are a lot of different things that you must add to your quality. We are talking about fitness, not having so many injuries.
“But I’m sure it is in his mind to return to the national squad.”
Wilshere was a late substitute in West Ham’s 3-0 win at Newcastle on Saturday. He went on to set up the third goal for Felipe Anderson.
Pellegrini insists the former Arsenal man will be a regular fixture in his first team when he is 100 per cent fit.
The West Ham boss also reiterated his belief that Wilshere will justify the faith shown in him – despite widespread doubts that he will remain fit.
He added: “We knew that Jack was a risk but if you review his last season on loan at WEST HAM: CARDIFF: REFEREE: HEAD2HEAD:
ODDS: Bournemouth he played around 65 per cent of the games.
“We knew before that he was not a player who would be available for every game every week.
“But we also knew that he is a player of a quality that is not easy to bring to West ham at a price we could afford. Maybe players of the quality of Wilshere at this moment can cost £100million, £90m, £70m.
“Good creative midfielders are very expensive.
“He wanted to play at West Ham, we took the risk and it has not been a good month for him. But we have the second part of the season and I hope he will play most of the games.” THE Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Ballon d’Or stranglehold is no more after Luka Modric was named the world’s best player for 2018.
Messi and Ronaldo have taken turns in winning the trophy for the past 10 years, but Modric lifted the prize in Paris last night.
The Real Madrid star, 33, (above) has enjoyed a sensational season, winning the Champions League.
He also captained Croatia at the World Cup in Russia, where he led them to their first ever final, which they lost to France.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Modric said. “It’s a big pleasure to be here among all these players.”