There was one moment in particular in Copenhagen on Wednesday night when Jack Wilshere looked so much more than a holding midfielder. First came a burst of acceleration and a drop of the shoulder that took him past an opponent; then a delightful one-two with Wayne Rooney.

The move ended with a chip into the Denmark box that proved a fraction too heavy for Darren Bent. But in those few seconds he looked like the new Paul Gascoigne.

Natural successor: Wilshere (right) can make England tick like Gascoigne did in the Nineties

It was that composure on the ball; that vision and speed. Not to mention the balance that comes with having a low centre of gravity.

Like Gascoigne, Wilshere is not lightning fast but he still has power and pace in those stocky thighs that enables him to cover the ground rapidly.

Having declared him England's answer to Claude Makelele, Fabio Capello is now reserving the right to have a further look at the 19-year-old before deciding how best to use him in the future.

« Previous1234Next »