There were many rumbles of discontent when Jack Wilshere was given a three year contract by West Ham.
And his injury wrecked season has helped most of those who claimed it was a terrible move to give him a three deal at the insistence of the manager to stand bang behind their initial judgement.
But Manuel Pellegrini has talked up the former Gunner so regularly that it seems clear he has absolute no doubt that he made the right decision despite everything.
For Wilshere is becoming a nearly obsessive subject to the quiet man Chilean who refuses to accept that it was anything other than a terrific deal.
Indeed he has today described he has admitted that he sees him as one of the most talented players in the country.
There can be little doubt that if the 26 year old can remain fit next season he will make a difference but such has been this club’s problems with injury hit player there’s more hope than optimism involved for most of us.
Speaking to reporters Pellegrini said: “If the injuries respect him, then yes of course. Jack is a different player with a lot of quality. He is working now very well.
I hope in the same way we did when we brought him that he can play one season and that will change everything.
I see him playing as Jack Wilshere. He will not change his style of play. He can be more useful. Those kinds of players must play free, with a tactical duty inside the team.
But when we have the ball, he needs to be always moving around different zones to receive it.
The more time Jack has the time the more attacking team we can be. I think he is still one of the most talented players in England.”
Pellegrini knows a lot more than most if not all of us, I trust his judgment it has been good so far COYI !!!!
Great player when fit. Repeat, when fit. £150k a week for what, 4-5 games. Another corker of an idea. With his record, he should have agreed to be paid on the pay as you play set up. Andy Carroll lessons not learnt. We’re a mug club for other clubs cast offs. AFC ran out of patience with him, so will we
I am full of hope that Wilshere will play a lot more next season. There’s no doubting he has bags of quality that will improve us. That said, fans will get fed up of him if he’s injured all season. Just like Andy Carroll, you try to remain supportive but after time, it’s hard not to feel bitter and jealous that these players are being paid 100k plus a WEEK for doing nothing, when many of us wouldn’t see that money in a few years of hard work.