John Terry urges England team to get behind ‘incredible’ Jack Wilshere & show support

Jack Wilshere and Anthony Annan

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England skipper John Terry has urged his team to look after Jack Wilshere to ensure he reaches his potential as a footballer.

Wilshere, 19, is set to start for England against Switzerland on Saturday, despite being pulled out of the Under-21 European Championship due to fatigue.

Terry believes if Wilshere is nurtured in the correct way, he could become an England great, providing he doesn’t become burnt-out.

“He’s been different class for us in the last couple of games. I see him as a major part of our set-up here. If we’re looking to the Euros next year, he has to be looked after.

“I see him now as a huge part of our senior set-up. What’s happened is unfortunate for the Under-21s, but we need to nurture and look after him.

“He’s obviously disappointed that he’s not going to the Under-21 finals. But, at the same time, he feels part of the senior set-up. That’s the confidence he’s brought in. That’s encouraging for him as well.

“I honestly feel we need to look after him – get with him rather than make him feel we’re against him, make him feel comfortable in his decision.

“Not everyone is going to agree, but what he’s shown in the last few games has been incredible. The way he glides past players is very much Zola-esque.

“I don’t want to build pressure on him – he is his own player – but I watched him in the Barcelona games and he was gliding through players, confidence in his own half.

“He shows a huge amount of confidence for someone so young – his ability speaks for itself. For him to play in the Arsenal side at such a young age goes to show what Arsene Wenger thinks about him.

“For him to make the step up with us and half-cement his place… he has done that well, he could make that place his own by this time next year.”

England manager Fabio Capello also emphasised the importance of not allowing Wilshere to become burnt-out, but feels one more game will not do any harm.

“I spoke personally with Arsene, who told me that Wilshere was tired and, because he’d played 50 games, he needed to go on holiday. He told me it’s dangerous for a young player to play so many games, for the future.

“I think one game more he can play without problems. During the training he was really, really good. This is one more game. I’m not concerned at all for this game. During the training he was really good – like the other players.”