Liverpool’s main man reckons Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere will fill his England captaincy boots…
England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard reckons Jack Wilshere has all the attributes to follow in his footsteps and captain his country, reports the Daily Mail.
Gerrard will lead England out again Scotland on Wednesday, winning his 103rd cap. Arsenal playmaker Wilshere, if selected, will win his 8th, but is regarded as England’s most talented prospect.
The 21-year-old is arguably the technically strongest English footballer already, and is capable of opening up a defence thanks to his wonderful vision and intricate through-balls. For England fans, he is one of only a few shining lights, as the influx of foreign players into the Premier League arguably continues to stifle English development.
“I’ve got no doubt about that. His quality, his example in training every day, he seems a level-headed kid, he wants to learn, he loves England, he’s going to be around the top for a long, long time,” said Gerrard when asked about his potential midfield partner.
“He ticks a lot of boxes when it comes down to other players following his lead. Obviously I’m really paranoid about putting too much pressure on any player, especially Jack, but he certainly has the quality to do that.
“He’s got many strengths to his game and I’m itching to get out there and show we can form a good partnership,” added the 33-year-old Liverpool captain.
Many people believe that pairing Wilshere and Gerrard in England’s midfield, probably with one other, represents our best chance of getting to, and then doing well at, the Brazil World Cup 2014.
“A lot of people have spoken about it for a long time but we haven’t managed to be fit at the same time and have a run of games together,” he added.
Gerrard has arguably been England’s most consistent player since dropping back into a deeper more conservative role, and he will hope that youngsters like Wilshere can do the running he once had to do for the Three Lions.
“I think with the right amount of time we can form a partnership that will complement each other and I believe we can give anyone a game.
“I’m sure once he gets to my age he will probably be sitting in my position with the armband on talking about another 100-cap player – he is that good.”
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