Wilshere Can Succeed Mark Noble as Captain Claret

There can be no doubting that it's been an interesting transfer widow for West Ham so far and apparently with even more new blood to arrive. However, the most exciting signing to date is Jack Wilshere from Arsenal - undoubtedly talented, his injury issues have stymied a career that looked soar.

With a bit more luck he would have made the England squad for Russia and come tomorrow night if Modric and Rakitic are bossing midfield Gareth Southgate may well wish he had brought Wilshere along!

Whatever about that, Wilshere is a proper Hammer and at just 26 should have his best years ahead of him. While we all love Mark Noble, we are having to get our heads around the reality that he can't keep putting in those amazing Duracell performances that keep our midfield ticking over (for a potent example check out Leicester last season!).

So who will step into those massive Noble shoes? Arnautovic could be an interesting possibility but he isn't historically a Hammer. Winston Reid is a big player but maybe not quite the force he was previously (let's hope he can recover with an injury-free run next season), Declan Rice is still too young but may well take on the role at some point as he is a ringer for Billy Bonds.....so what about Wilshere - a leader, intelligent and a proper Hammer!

It's going to be interesting to see how Pellegrini lines up his midfield talents - especially when Lanzini returns in January 2019 (all going well). 

Even more intriguing is how West Ham will line out against Liverpool and then Bournemouth...Will Wilshere and Noble both get a starting place? Surely that would lack pace…Will he rotate the two to keep Noble fesh and Wilshere injury-free?  How will he use Rice, Kouyate and Obiang?

Hmmm…