England manager Gareth Southgate criticised Arsene Wenger‘s decision to play Jack Wilshere as a number 10 yesterday, however, fans on Twitter aren’t having it.
Southgate snubbed the Gunners midfielder for his squad to play Germany and Brazil over the next few days, instead calling on the uncapped Burnley midfielder Jack Cork and West Bromwich Albion’s Jake Livermore.
And while the Three Lions boss has said before that Wilshere needs to be in and around the Arsenal team to make an impact for his country, he now claims that despite increasing his game time, he’s not playing in the right position.
“Jack played as a number 10 all of last season on loan at Bournemouth,” Southgate told reporters on Thursday.
“That is not the way we are playing. When we have played with a 10, we have had Dele and (Adam) Lallana. But we are not playing with a 10 tomorrow.”
He added, “I don’t think Jack is a 10. I think he is a deeper player, but he is not playing deeper.
“You’d have to ask Arsene (Wenger, the Arsenal manager) why that was.”
“But I want to be clear: I really like Jack Wilshere as a player. I think he is a talent and I really respect him as an individual. And I’m hoping that we are in a position in March where we can pick him.”
Not that anyone on Twitter is buying the ex-Middlesbrough boss:
Southgate goes from Wilshere has not played enough games to he's played outta position lol. This is funny haha. It's Arsenal's gain. ?
— Francis (@Flanchich) November 10, 2017
This what happens will people are appointed without earning it, Southgate hasn’t a clue! Wait and see the mammoth embarrassment in 2018.
— Gooner Clay (@GoonerHnery) November 10, 2017
I've always loved to watch the young lad play. I am certain he is right and have seen the potentials in him
— abdurrahman Dahiru (@AbdullrahmanD) November 10, 2017
Is he a fool? What's wrong with playing players in different roles if you see fit? Just because he doesn't play there for the club doesn't mean he won't be able to fulfill a deep role on the England team. Southgate must have some sort of problem with Wilsh. This can't run.
— Vic. ?? (@victor_nyambe) November 10, 2017
Slight issue over Drinkwater being exiled. Southgate won't pick Wilshere as he hasn't played enough, yet is hanging out the Chelsea player even though he has only a couple of sub appearances back from injury.
— Duncan Wright (@dwright75) November 10, 2017
They play that midfield and not call up wilshere mate. Im so done mate
— Anas (@TheWelbeckChop) November 10, 2017
exactly and a half fit Wilshere is better than what's there, although god to c loftus-cheek in the team
— Alex Paterson (@alex_paterson7) November 10, 2017
Spot on, can’t call him up because he’s not playing for Arsenal but tries to call Drinkwater up after one game for Chelsea. He’s making himself look daft.
— ASHLEY ALLEN (@ashleyallenuk) November 10, 2017
He does not seem to have a clue .@JackWilshere has being playing in midfield his whole life . Is he saying a footballer of @JackWilshere talent has not got the football brain to drop from being a 10 to playing deeper . If this man is in charge of english football god help us
— Alex Crowe (@crowe_aj) November 10, 2017
Southgate's excuse for not including Wilshere in his team is getting pathetic.
Just say you dropped him because he hasn't played much. Not giving useless excuses.
— 9jagooners (@9jaGooners) November 10, 2017
So Southgate won't call up Wilshere because he doesn't get games for Arsenal, though yesterday he tried to call up Drinkwater ?? and look at that teamsheet, wow ?? https://t.co/Ayflf5UjGc
— Chris Jeffries (@ChrisJeffries1) November 10, 2017
England take on Germany at Wembley this evening before hosting Brazil on Tuesday night.
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