Jack Wilshere has revealed he didn’t think there was room for “technical players” in David Moyes’ team when West Ham secured Premier League survival last season.
The midfielder is still looking for a new club after the Hammers cancelled his contract earlier this year with eight months remaining on his deal after an injury-hit two and a half years in east London.
Wilshere was a free agent signing by Manuel Pellegrini when the Chilean arrived at the club after Wilshere’s release from Arsenal but made just 19 appearances for West Ham.
He was hampered by ankle and groin injuries throughout his stay. Wilshere was handed a now-egregious looking £100,000 a week, three-year deal despite the club’s board only wanting to give him a one-year contract.
However, Pellegrini pushed for three and won the argument, which backfired in the long run.
Wilshere has been training in Dubai in recent days as he looks to regain fitness ahead of joining a new club and has been linked with a move to Rangers though as of now, he remains a free agent.
Speaking on ITV’s football podcast, Wilshere revealed how Moyes plotted survival in the top flight, which he managed after lockdown as the Hammers went six games unbeaten at the end of the campaign with Michail Antonio netting eight times in that timespan.
“I just felt we were going into big games after lockdown where we were defending most of the time, and he wanted to play Dec [Rice] and [Tomas] Soucek in midfield and they were brilliant, so I couldn’t argue with that.
“But I felt that there wasn’t really a place for a technical player who wanted to get on the ball and make things happen.
"It was more about getting onto second balls and intercepting play.”
Wilshere also revealed that he enjoyed training with Moyes, adding: “I really enjoyed working with Moyes, I thought his training was good, obviously I would have liked more opportunity to play but I respect his decision.”
When Wilshere’s exit was confirmed, he took to Instagram and seemingly fired a shot at the Scot, who barely used the England international while he was at the club.
Back in October, Wilshere posted: Unfortunately, despite all my best efforts and intentions, it has not worked out as I had expected. I have been fully fit for a large period of time at the club, including over the last course of the last eight months - training hard every day - but unfortunately have not been given the opportunity to play.
“Although I am of course frustrated that I was not able to fully showcase what I'm capable of at West Ham I remain confident that I can contribute at the very top of the game.”
