Harry Redknapp has hit back at talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham for saying Jack Wilshere has made an ‘appalling’ decision to join West Ham.
The former Hammers manager says he ‘hates when people say West Ham is not a big club’ and insists the midfielder is a ‘great signing’ for the east London side.
Wilshere completed a free transfer to the London Stadium on Monday, following his departure from Arsenal at the end of last season when his contract expired.
The 26-year-old was linked with a number of clubs in the Premier League and wider Europe, but it was claimed his preference was to remain in the capital and ultimately opted to sign for West Ham – the club he supported as a boy.
But the move was slammed by Drive host Durham, who said Wilshere has effectively chosen to enter ‘the early stages of retirement’ by moving to the Hammers, while also ending any hopes of a return to the England side.
#WelcomeJack pic.twitter.com/3d5mjcuUbZ
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) July 10, 2018
“I’m not having West Ham helping him in his career,” he said on Monday. “It is just him picking a club that is close to home and there is nothing that is going to challenge him or change anything about this at all. The last thing he needs is nice, he needs to challenge himself.”
Redknapp joined Tuesday’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast to react to the news and he couldn’t disagree more with Durham’s comments.
“Fantastic, it’s a great signing for West Ham,” the former Hammers boss said.
“Jack Wilshere is an outstanding player – if he can just stay fit he’s going to be a big signing for West Ham.
“I like the look of them, West Ham are bringing in a few players, they look like they mean business this year which is great for the fans.
“But I think Jack is definitely the icing on the cake, I think he’s a great signing.”
Durham blasted Wilshere for picking the ‘nice’ option, but Redknapp insists the midfielder is a ‘great fit’ for the Hammers.
“I don’t know how many offers he had, but West Ham is a great move for him,” he added.
“It’s a London club, a big club. They get 60,000-odd people every week.
“I hate it when people keep saying West Ham is not a big club – of course it’s a big club!
“When you get that type of support, they fill that stadium every week and I think it’s great move for Jack, I really do. It’s a good fit for him.”
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