Jack Wilshere insists Christ Makosso remains “committed” to Luton Town despite rumours of a potential move away this transfer window, which the manager denied is true, while acknowledging the defender’s desire for regular football.
Makosso started in the manager’s first game in charge in October against Mansfield but then didn’t feature in League One again until January 10 when Town beat Stevenage 2-1. Outside of those games, he has found opportunities limited to three appearances in the Vertu Trophy due to competition at centre-back.
But Wilshere praised both the Congo international’s professionalism and attitude, saying: “Christ wants to play and I love that about him. I praised his attitude after the Stevenage game when he stepped in and his attitude that allowed him to have a performance like that.
“Christ is committed. Number one. He’s here right now. He knows that he’s probably not the first centre-back.
“You can see Mads [Andersen], who’s been outstanding, really grown and helps us massively in this league. Then Teds [Mengi] before he hurt his back was the guy. And then Kal came back and gives us that balance with his left foot. I think Christ has found it difficult to get into the team because of Mads and that’s his natural position.
“But if we can keep him here and he’s happy to fight for his place then I’m happy with that because it gives you competition in places and it gives you something a little bit different with Christ. But, I also understand that he wants to play and he needs to play.”
Makosso has been linked this month with a move back to Belgium with Cercle Brugge, after Luton signed him on January 1 last year from RWD Molenbeek, and while denying any imminent move, Wilshere left the door open.
“I don’t think that anything’s close and I saw the rumour, which was not true. We’re not that close to anything with him, but I also think we could be open, yeah.”
This week has seen Zack Nelson and Joe Gbodé leave Luton on loan for AFC Wimbledon and Woking respectively in order to get more minutes to aid their development.
Asked if that could be an option for Makosso, Wilshere said: “I think that’s important for all players and that probably goes back to my point about loving the players and trying to give the players what they need.
“I understand it really well. I’ve been a player, I’ve been a player that hasn’t played. I’ve been a player that’s frustrated. Like I said, Christ has been excellent with that and he’s knocked on my door and asked for the things that he needs to get better at and we’ve been clear with him, but he’s also then gone away and tried to do that and his attitude has been top.
“So, yeah, I understand that he wants to play, but I also then understand that we have a player there and that’s high value in my opinion and if he can go out and get games, I think that’s better for us right now. So yeah, let’s see what happens.”
Be the first to comment