Arsenal starlet should be released from his shackles for England after Barcelona masterclass (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

ON THE BALL: Wilshere a Makelele? Not if you were watching Arsenal v Barcelona

3:50pm Thursday 17th February 2011

• Print
• Email
• Comments(2)

EVERY England fan agreed that Fabio Capello had lost a few marbles during the World Cup. Tactics, selection, positioning; it was all wrong. But, by the good grace of the Football Association – or rather the shuddering thought of the price it would take to remove the Italian – he has another chance to prove he is the master tactician his reputation suggested he was.

And now proof - if any were needed – that Capello really has gone round the twist has materialised in his recent selection of the country's most prodigious talent.

Those that witnessed last night's terrific game between Barcelona and Arsenal at the Emirates would have seen a young midfielder stand toe to toe with the finest exponents of the position on the planet and outshine them.

Jack Wilshere was simply sublime against the best team in the world. He orchestrated moves outside his own penalty area, wriggled out of virtually impossible corners to recycle the ball, drove at the heart of a terrified Barca backline time and again, and broke up more than a few dangerous attacks.

Despite his small frame, he stood head and shoulders above the rest.

And who does his international manager compare him to? Perhaps Xavi? Or Iniesta? The two players he did battle with last night. Or maybe a Zidane? Nope. Claude Makelele.

Now, don't get me wrong, Makelele is perhaps the finest player of his generation in his position. His job is simple: break up the opposition's attacks and recycle possession. The Frenchman is football's Mr Muscle. He loves the jobs that others hate. Tracking runners, marking players out of the game, snapping at heels, biting into challenges; he can't get enough of it.

Indeed, the holding midfielder is a vital component of almost every top level team nowadays, and Makelele's mastering of the role helped make it a fashionable one.

But there is so much more to Wilshere's game that it is frankly cruel to shackle his talent in such a way.

Still, Capello believes he could be the answer to the troublesome position of defensive shield; a role that was entrusted to the hapless Gareth Barry during the doomed World Cup campaign last summer.

There is no doubt that Wilshere could perform the role. He could improve on Barry's efforts with both legs tied together and a blindfold on.

But what a waste it would be. This is one of the most exciting players to emerge in English football over the last decade, yet Capello wants to curb his expansive passing game, his lung-bursting runs and delicate touches around the opponents' penalty box by keeping him on a leash, thus restricting his influence on the game.

One can only hope that Senor Capello was in attendance at the Emirates yesterday, and had his eyes permanently trained on the 19-year-old that terrorised Barcelona's magnificent midfield cartel for the entire 90 minutes.

If his qualities as a footballer are best served protecting the back four, then Capello's are best suited to managing the English national team.

Exactly.

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here