Wilshere’s career at a crossroads as Noble return lifts West Ham
Jack Wilshere was already a man with a point to prove – but it feels like life has just become even harder for him.
The West Ham United midfielder had finally scored his first goal in 600 days, against League Two side Newport in the Carabao Cup, in midweek. On Saturday, though, Manuel Pellegrini left him out of his squad who beat Norwich City 2-0 at the London Stadium.
Pellegrini has said that he is managing the player’s minutes carefully. But less game time will not help him. Wilshere had started West Ham’s first two Premier League games and been substituted in both, with the team winning neither.
Mark Noble has stepped up to replace him in the subsequent two Premier League games and been a key cog in the team’s machine, which delivered two key victories. The ovation that Noble received from home fans here showed how highly they valued their long-serving captain’s contribution.
West Ham again lined up in a 4-23-1 with the other holding midfielder in the team, alongside Noble, being Declan Rice, who has just been called into the England squad again. Noble is hoping Rice steps out for Gareth Southgate’s side again, saying: “He is good on the ball and reads the game so well. He makes so many tackles and does the stuff that nobody wants to do.”
Noble was a bundle of energy, helping to nullify a Norwich midfield that is capable of more creativity. That laid the platform for a win that would have been more emphatic had Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul not played, in the words of Noble, “like Superman”.
It raises the question of how Wilshere can fit into this West Ham team, with neither Noble nor Rice looking worthy of missing out. Viewing the fluency with which West Ham attacked at times, Pellegrini might be reluctant to sacrifice a more attacking player.
Rice and Noble can protect their back four in a way Wilshere might not be able to. And, even when Wilshere is fitted in, he is under pressure to deliver now.
The former Arsenal midfielder is still only 27 and, having once been such a promising prospect, has time to fulfil some of his potential. But, as West Ham flourished without him, it felt he was coming to a crucial juncture in his career.
While Rice heads for the England camp though, Wilshere’s own days as a national team hope are looking distant.