Free agent ‘loves’ Jose Mourinho but could ‘never’ join Tottenham
Free agent midfielder Jack Wilshere has revealed his admiration for Jose Mourinho but insists that he could never join Tottenham.
Wilshere spent 10 years with the Gunners after coming through their academy, making 197 appearances.
Despite being regarded as one the country’s top young talents, the 28-year-old failed to fulfill his potential in north London. He was hampered by countless injury issues, however.
Wilshere moved to West Ham in 2018, but made only 19 appearances for the Hammers after similar injury problems.
He was released on deadline day and has since revealed the angst that led to that decision.
Though Wilshere is still without a club, he told the Super 6 podcast (as cited by Goal) that talk of a potential switch to Spurs could never happen.
Wilshere said: “I love [head coach Jose] Mourinho, I think he’s an unbelievable coach… But I couldn’t do it.”
The former England man also debated whether he’d ever be in a position to turn down an approach from Tottenham.
“They wouldn’t have me!” he added. “But I don’t think I could do it. It’s not as if Arsenal got rid of me and kicked me out and there is bad feeling, they offered me a deal and I wanted to try something else. I’m an Arsenal man.”
The midfielder also claimed that he is open to playing abroad and feels he still has plenty to offer.
“It is important to find a club where I am going to play, be an important player and be happy. I don’t want to rush into anything. It has to be the right team in the right country,” Wilshere said. “I am open to Europe or wherever.
“People forget I am 28. Everyone thinks I am 30 or 31, probably because I started when I was 16. That is 12 years ago, which is a long time in football.”
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Neville talks up Tottenham
Gary Neville believes Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham could win the Premier League title due to their “incredible” strike force.
The Portuguese took over from Mauricio Pochettino in November 2019, and after a testing first campaign he has overseen an overhaul of a team that currently sits second in the table.
Mourinho brought back club legend Gareth Bale, with a permanent deal now being mooted. Sergio Reguilon, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Matt Doherty, Joe Hart, Carlos Vinicius and Joe Rodon also signed.
The Premier League title race will be a much tighter affair this time around, mainly due to issues surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.
And Tottenham’s impressive start has fuelled talk that they could challenge favourites Liverpool and Manchester City.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, as cited by the Daily Mirror, Neville claimed that it would be a great story if Tottenham do lift the trophy.
He said: “I said a couple of weeks ago on Monday Night Football that Spurs couldn’t win the league. I still don’t think they can.
“But I do agree with Jamie Carragher that it would be the most outstanding story to see Jose Mourinho win it with Tottenham.” Read more…