MLS: Good for Jack Wilshere, risky for anyone else

Jack Wilshere is reportedly attracted to a move to MLS, but while it may be a positive move for the English midfielder, it would be a risky investment for any club.

The ageing European star is a transfer target that Major League Soccer has collectively veered away from. While the LA Galaxy have been dominant with Robbie Keane and the like in the past and New York City FC built their burgeoning success on David Villa, the Spaniard the face of their franchise for the first half-decade of their existence, these types of players are beginning to grow out of style.

Atlanta United and Los Angeles FC, the two dominant teams in MLS over the past two years, turned towards younger European players in their prime or South American stars who are looking to advertise themselves prior to a move across the pond.

Similarly, the Seattle Sounders have leaned on Nicolas Lodeiro and Raul Ruidiaz, while Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Alejandro Pozuelo of Toronto FC all arrived in their prime years. Those that are past their best are no longer wanted.

This brings me to Jack Wilshere. The former Arsenal midfielder, now at West Ham United, has seen his career ravaged by injuries. Once viewed as one of the brightest talents in world football, including playing a crucial role in Arsenal’s central midfield as a teenager, Cesc Fabregas describing him as the unquestioned future of the club, Wilshere has since failed to maintain his fitness, soft ankles undermining any semblance of athletic explosion he once had.

At West Ham, he has again struggled for fitness and has dropped behind Mark Noble, Declan Rice and Pablo Fornals in the midfield pecking order. Even at the peak age of 27, it seems as though his Premier League career is drawing to a close.

And per a report in The Athletic, Wilshere himself is open to a new adventure, specifically one on the other side of the pond. West Ham correspondent Roshane Thomas writes:

"“Sources have told The Athletic that a switch to the USA appeals to the West Ham United midfielder, whose contract expires at the end of the 2020-21 season, as his next move. The anonymity, lack of scrutiny, slower pace of football and appeal of being a club’s marquee signing is one of the reasons why those close to Wilshere believe a move to MLS would make sense.”"

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The fact that Wilshere views the league as one with an ‘anonymity, lack of scrutiny, slower of [sic] pace of football’ is a little worrying. MLS is an infamously fast-paced style of play, with athleticism favoured over technical quality. Players of Wilshere’s ilk have flourished in MLS because of their superior nous and ability, outmanoeuvring the bull-in-a-china-shop approach of many of the players in the league, but he might find it a little jarring should he arrive with expectations of an easy time.

It is easy to see why Wilshere would want this move. In the piece, Liam Ridgewell spoke about how his move to Portland revitalised not just his career but his entire life. Wilshere would benefit from the change. But would whatever MLS team chooses to sign him benefit?

If Wilshere can get and stay fit, there is tremendous reward. Should he rediscover his younger qualities, an MLS team would be signing a high-performing European player in their peak years. That opportunity does not come around very often. But while the reward is substantial, the risk is equally significant.

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An MLS move, then, may appeal to Wilshere, but it might not be reciprocated by potential suitors. Nevertheless, should one be brave enough to take the plunge, they might just be signing Carlos Vela 2.0.

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