“That’s not something that would have been on his agenda or his mind-set coming here.”
Rio Ferdinand has been speaking about Jack Wilshere’s predicament at Bournemouth.
Wilshere was the great hope of English football a few years ago. Now he’s lost his starting place for Bournemouth – no disrespect intended to Cherries.
The 25-year-old midfielder joined Bournemouth on-loan from Arsenal at the start of the season, with the intention of playing regularly after a couple of injury hit seasons.
The England international had been quietly impressive in the opening months of the season, but lost his starting spot recently.
Wilshere was on the bench for Bournemouth’s 2-0 win over Swansea City on Saturday evening at the Vitality Stadium. He was also omitted from the England squad to play Lithuania and Germany.
It wasn’t meant to be like this when Wilshere joined the south coast side, and Ferdinand reckons the player will be “embarrassed” by his current situation.
“I think there’s an element of embarrassment, coming from Arsenal and an England regular and then being sub at Bournemouth,” Ferdinand said on BT Sport.
“No disrespect, but it’s not the same playing field as Arsenal. If you put yourself in his shoes you’ll be thinking: ‘If I’m going to be sub here then I might as well be sub at Arsenal’.
“Jack Wilshere has been spoken about as the next big thing for England. So, to come to Bournemouth and be subbed, that’s not something that would have been on his agenda, or his mind-set, coming here.
“So, (he’s feeling) disappointment and embarrassment. I’m sure he’s got mixed emotions.”
There’s still time for Wilshere to fulfil his early promise, and ironically he would have got a game for Arsenal if he remained at the Emirates this season, as Arsene Wenger’s side have suffered a series of injuries to midfielders.
However, there’s no denying that the move to Bournemouth has hit something of a speed bump.
Ferdinand also had his say on the situation at Arsenal, following Saturday’s 3-1 loss to West Brom, and points the finger of blame squarely at the club’s owners.
"The way the club is run, they don't really care what the fans think…"@rioferdy5 has strong words on @Arsenal. https://t.co/DfCmlmJcol
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 18, 2017
Catch up with this week’s episode of 888sport Football Friday Live
