Manuel Pellegrini is confident Jack Wilshere can get back to his best for West Ham next season - providing the absolutely obvious scenario that Wilshere stays injury-free.
The Hammers midfielder has had yet another injury wrecked season, this one is his first with West Ham after joining from Arsenal on a free transfer last summer. The midfielder has suffered two ankle injuries, one that required surgery and hasn't made a senior start for they club since September and the 1-0 defeat to Wolves at London Stadium.
That has meant just seven appearances for the 27-year-old this season and he has yet to be on the winning side when he has started a game for his new club, though the Hammers have won their last two when he has come off the bench.
Wilshere played 22 minutes of the 3-0 victory over Southampton last Saturday and Pellegrini hinted in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon that the former Gunner could be in line for a start against Watford on Sunday.
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Pellegrini was asked what he hopes to see from Wilshere next season, providing he stays off the treatment table, and the m,anger responded: "I hope in the same way we did when we brought him that he can play one season and that will change everything.
"Jack is a different player with a lot of quality. He is working now very well.
I see him playing as Jack Wilshere. He will not change his style of play. He can be more useful. Those kinds of players must play free, with a tactical duty inside the team.
"The more time Jack has the time the more attacking team we can be. I think he is still one of the most talented players in England."
Last August, Pellegrini compared Wilshere to Italy legend Andrea Pirlo and believes his midfielder can still be an outstanding player when he takes to the field and if he stays fit.
The manager said last year: "A lot of you will remember Juventus around four or five years ago, they played with one holding midfielder. It was Pirlo.
"And Pirlo is the same as Jack. He has the same characteristics as Jack."
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Wilshere is set to start on Sunday and Pellegrini has no fresh injury concerns with his squad ahead of the game on Sunday with only long-term absentees Andy Carroll, Winston Reid and Andriy Yarmolenko definitively ruled out.
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