Manuel Pellegrini believes ‘high risk’ Jack Wilshere saved West Ham £100m as he discusses Samir Nasri contract

Wilshere made his fifth appearance for West Ham as a late substitute in Saturday's win against Newcastle

Matt McGeehan
Tuesday 04 December 2018 06:57 EST
Comments
West Ham 2018/19 Premier League profile

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jack Wilshere was a high risk for West Ham who has saved the club a potential £100m investment, boss Manuel Pellegrini says.

Wilshere returned from a three-month absence with an ankle injury as a substitute in last Saturday’s 3-0 win at Newcastle and could feature in Tuesday’s Premier League clash with Cardiff.

The 26-year-old joined West Ham on a free transfer at the end of his contract with Arsenal in the summer, following a 10-year spell with the Gunners which was blighted by long-term injuries.

“He was a high risk,” Pellegrini said. “We knew before he was not a player who would be available for every game, every week, but was a player of a quality that is not easy to bring to West Ham at a price we could afford.

“Maybe players of the quality of Wilshere at this moment can cost £100m, £90m, £70m. Good creative midfielders are very expensive.

“He wanted to play at West Ham, we took the risk and it has not been a good month for him but we have the second part of the season and I hope he will play most part of the games.”

Wilshere has not been shy in outlining his ambition to return to the England reckoning. First he must return to the West Ham side.

Pellegrini added: “It is never hard for good players to get into the team.”

Jack Wilshere suffered an injury four league matches into his West Ham career
Jack Wilshere suffered an injury four league matches into his West Ham career (REUTERS)

The potential arrival of Samir Nasri at the turn of the year will only add to the competition.

Former France, Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder Nasri is training with the Hammers in a bid to earn a contract.

Nasri would not be available until 1 January, due to a six month ban for receiving an intravenous treatment at a Los Angeles clinic in breach of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s rules.

“The more good players we have the better we are going to play,” Pellegrini said.

Manuel Pellegrini expects Samir Nasri to join West Ham
Manuel Pellegrini expects Samir Nasri to join West Ham (Getty)

Nasri has been without a club leaving Antalyaspor of Turkey in January and has previously carried additional weight.

“For me the weight of the player demonstrates his mentality,” Pellegrini added.

“You can’t give an advantage in this profession, especially when every game is so tight. When every team has good players you cannot be overweight.

“I think that Samir will be at the end of the month the weight that we need him to be to be a professional player for West Ham. He is working hard and is absolutely convinced that he can do it.”

Pellegrini also praised Robert Snodgrass for losing the weight required to revive his Hammers career.

The Scotland midfielder spent last season on loan at Aston Villa in the Championship and Pellegrini, on his appointment as Hammers boss, told Snodgrass to lose weight if he wished to show his commitment to the cause.

The Chilean said: “There were very few words that I spoke with him at the beginning of the season. I gave him some demands about his weight, about his work.

“He’s a very professional player. He’s doing it very well because he had desire to be here.”

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in