The manager of West Ham United, David Moyes has highlighted how good Jesse Lingard of Manchester United is, noting that West Ham could get the best of him.
Jesse Lingard has been experiencing a downward growth in his football career, especially in the last 12 months. Manchester United’s coach, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did not deem the English midfielder good enough to be a part of the club’s first eleven since the 2019-2020 season.
Hence, Jesse Lingard spent most of last season sitting on the bench or playing from the bench. However, he was able to make 40 appearances in all competitions in which he scored 4 goals and provided 2 assists.
The 28-year-old England international who can play as a midfielder and as a right-winger had it worse when the 2020-2021 season commenced. It was so bad that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer used him only three times in all competitions this season. His appearances for Manchester United this season came once in the FA Cup, and twice in the EFL Cup.
Since he was not able to have regular playing time at Manchester United, he decided to agree to join West Ham on loan until the end of the 2020-2021 season with the hope of playing regularly.
Besides his difficulty in getting a regular place at Manchester United, the Englishman has not received a call up back to England national team since the summer of 2019. His glory days with the national team ended after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in which he helped the team to the semi-final stage of the competition.
West Ham coach David Moyes who has coached him briefly at United believed that the 28-year-old football star still has a lot to offer and pointed out how versatile Jesse Lingard is.
“Jesse can play from the left, from the right, or play as a 10. He played for England as a midfield player at times as an eight. I think if I had to, I could play him as a false nine if I needed”, David Moyes says.
“I think if I had to, I could play him as a false nine if I needed, the way Manchester City have played quite often with no center-forwards.
“There’s been very little business done in terms of center-forwards, because of Covid and because of availability, so I think Jesse can do all those jobs if required.
“It will take a little bit of time to settle, so let’s give him a chance but he will help us with our creativity.
“I couldn’t really say what went wrong for him at Manchester United but when he played for England he was energetic, he always had energy and it wasn’t too long ago he was part of the England squad. Hopefully, he can come and show some of that.
“He’s 28 so still young, he’s got a young body and a young mind. Hopefully, we can get the best out of him.”
Jesse Lingard could have the first opportunity of playing in the Premier League this season when West Ham visit Aston Villa later today, February 3, at 21:15. If West Ham win the game, they will remain in the 5th spot on the league table with 35 points in 21 league games.
Can’t wait to get started! #COYI ⚒ https://t.co/7A7zen6AXK
— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) January 30, 2021
