Jack Wilshere must be wary of becoming Wayne Rooney

There will always be that performance at the Camp Nou.

The 2010-2011 Champions League First Knockout stage. The second leg between Arsenal and Barcelona in Catalonia. Underneath the starry skies and upon the canvas of the European stage. Inside the amphitheater that forms Barcelona’s majestic football stadium. Amidst the brilliance of Lionel Messi, within the kaleidoscopic passing of Barcelona and beyond the controversy of a Robin Van Persie red card — there was Jack Wilshere.

The then 19-year old showed why many had

Euro U-21: Brave England defeated by technical Italy

 

Englands Jordan Henderson battles for the ball with Italy’s Lorenzo Insigne at the Euro Under-21 Championships *** image courtesy of zimbio***

The set-piece came in. Steven Caulker jumped at it before Craig Dawson headed it in. It looked scrappy but in the midst of all that was laid bare the solemn identity of English football. Grit. Determination. Hunger. Desire.

The match would eventually be lost and indeed the goal would not stand. As England’s U-21’s kicked off their Euro 2013 campaign against Italy’s U-21’s, there was a clear divide in the manner in which both sides played their football. A contrast of styles.

Here was England; determined to win and they kept on going and going and going. And going. Italy on the other hand were different. Technically superior. Their passing and movement was