Terry: We must protect Wilshere, he's like our Zola
Published 23:00 03/06/11 By John Cross
John Terry has urged England to handle Jack Wilshere with care.
Arsenal teenager Wilshere, 19, is set to start the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley despite being pulled out of the Under-21 European Championship because of fears of fatigue.
But Terry says Wilshere can become a world class talent in the mould of Gianfranco Zola if they treat him correctly and do not allow him to become burnt-out.
England captain Terry said: "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 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.
"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 boss Fabio Capello has admitted he made mistakes in the build-up to last year's World Cup, in particular by not giving the players a holiday - which he has done before this game and has promised to do before the Euros if England qualify.
Capello stressed that they cannot afford to allow players such as Wilshere to be burnt-out by the time the finals begin in Ukraine and Poland next summer.
"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," said Capello. "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."
England striker Darren Bent will lead England's attack in a 4-3-3 formation, with Ashley Young set to start alongside him and either Theo Walcott or James Milner on the other side.
Capello's other dilemma is midfield, but he is expected to go with Wilshere, Scott Parker and Frank Lampard.
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