Former West Ham United midfielder Joe Cole has insisted that Jack Wilshere was deployed in the wrong role by Arsene Wenger during his time at the club, advising Manuel Pellegrini on how best to utilise the midfielder.

Wilshere left the Emirates this summer after 17 years at the club, signing for the Hammers on a free transfer once his contract at Arsenal had expired.

It’s a signing that has left West Ham fans beaming with expectation, but it is unsure whether he can maintain full fitness as he has been so unfortunate with injuries in the past.

But Cole has insisted that if he can keep the injuries at bay then he could become a huge figure at the London Stadium, saying that better coaching will bring the best out of him.

“I look at him and think he’s a similar player to me,” Cole told Coaches Voice.

“I’d like to have coached him, I still think he’s got levels to go up if you keep him fit.

“As a manager I’d manage him differently to how he’s been managed and he’d have played more games, I think he’s got levels to go up.

“I’d play him in a deeper position. As a number ten I think that’s when he gets into trouble, when he has to dribble or run in behind.

“I think he knows his body, I’d play him more in the midfield when he can pick and choose his moments, when to go, when to be explosive, I think he’s more effective there.

“Whereas people might have looked at him more like a Hazard, I’m looking at him more like a Verratti from PSG, that type of midfielder.”