Jack Wilshere has delivered a Declan Rice snub just months after naming the West Ham star as the best in the world.
Wilshere, now a coach of Arsenal’s Under 18s, grew up supporting West Ham before going on to play for the Gunners and the Hammers.
The midfielder’s spell with West Ham was a major flop as the injury issues which blighted his career held him back.
While at West Ham, Wilshere watched a young Declan Rice establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and Europe with his performances for club and country.
Just a few months ago, Wilshere hailed Declan Rice as the best defensive midfielder on the planet, compared him to Sergio Busquets and joked about Arsenal signing him (Daily Mail).
The West Ham captain will be hoping to emulate legendary Hammers trip Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters by lifting the World Cup with England in Qatar.
Rice is one of the first names on Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions teamsheet second perhaps to Harry Kane.
But he is nowhere to be seen in his former Hammers teammate’s World Cup XI.
Jack Wilshere has delivered a Declan Rice snub despite naming the West Ham star the best in the world not so long ago.
Wilshere picked his Dream Team FIFA World Cup side ahead of the tournament, where West Ham stars including Alphonse Areola, Nayef Aguerd, Lucas Paqueta and Thilo Kehrer will also be in action.
Jack Wilshere delivers Declan Rice snub despite naming West Ham star the best in the world
But there was no room for Rice, with Wilshere preferring Jude Bellingham and Arsenal duo Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka in a midfield three.
“I’ve picked my Dream Team FIFA World Cup side!” Wilshere said on Twitter.
“And of course I had to get some Arsenal lads in there! Think you can do better? Select your side now!”
Of course it’s all a bit of good-natured fun.
But you would think having named his old West Ham teammate as the world’s best, he would be a shoo-in.
Mind you Wilshere has a history of contradicting himself having hit out at West Ham for his lack of game time after being let go – despite having admitted he was injured for long periods of his spell at the London Stadium.