Steve McMahon heaped praise on Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey when comparing him to Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere.
The Sky Sports pundit claimed that the Magpies’ 26-year-old should be in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad ahead of the Gunners midfielder, who earns £110,000-a-week according to the Daily Mirror.
“I don’t see any room in my squad for a Jack Wilshere,” McMahon said on Sky Sports’ debate, as quoted by the broadcaster’s website.
“Jonjo Shelvey has more of a range. Wilshere doesn’t do enough for me. You talk about Shelvey’s character, but look at Wilshere’s injury problems. You couldn’t afford to take Adam Lallana and Wilshere.
“He likes him as a footballer, and you don’t play that number of games for Arsenal unless you’re a good footballer, but that’s what he is – he’s a good footballer.
“You’ve got to have lots of other strings to your bow, we’re talking about winning a World Cup, not signing a new deal at Arsenal for however many years.
“Six or seven weeks, can you open a game up, can you see a pass and I think Shelvey can see more than Wilshere does.”
Shelvey hasn’t been selected for an England squad in nearly three years, but has put in some tremendous performances for the Magpies this season during the 32 games he has featured in.
OPINION
Shelvey deserves to be in England’s squad for the World Cup, as he has put his issues behind him. The 26-year-old may have showcased some of the more disappointing aspects of his game earlier this season, he tendency to get recklessly sent off, but he has since proven that his problems are a distance memory. Shelvey finally looks like he has matured as a person and doesn’t look like he will be a liability for England if called upon anymore. The Magpies midfielder is arguably better than Wilshere, with the 26-year-old’s passing ability definitely being a higher level than that of the Gunners midfielder. However both could easily make the plane to Russia in the summer. With Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set to miss the prestigious tournament through injury, his place on the plane is up for grabs. Shelvey can easily step-up for his nation in the absence of the Reds’ attacking midfielder, and a partnership with Wilshere for England may work.
