Jesse Lingard said yielding to the advice of the head coach of England, Gareth Southgate, aided him to be recalled to the country’s national team after two years of absence.
The 28-year-old left-winger has been missing in the country’s national team since June 2019 due to a drop in form which saw him became nearly an outcast at Manchester United.
Due to the lack of games at the club, the left-winger decided to push for an exit out of the club. During that period, Gareth Southgate urged him to settle for a club in England despite having a couple of suitors outside the country.
“That was an incentive as if to say, ‘if you stay and do well then you’ll get your call up’,” Lingard said.
Jesse Lingard yielded to Southgate’s advice and decided to settle for West Ham United for the rest of the 2020-2021 season. Before he made the move, he had managed to make just three appearances for Manchester United in all competitions this season without recording any goal nor assist.
However, since he arrived at West Ham United on January 29, 2021, for a loan deal that cost the club €1.70 million, the 28-year-old England international has become a different player.
Within two months at West Ham United, Jesse Lingard was able to make 7 Premier League appearances in which he scored a whopping 5 goals and provided three assists for West Ham United.
His performance at West Ham attracted the attention of the coach of the Three Lions, Southgate, to recall him back to the England national football team. Fortunately for Lingard, his improved form coincided with injuries to some English players who could play his position better according to the coach.
"We have a lot of belief in Jesse."
— England (@England) March 18, 2021
👊 @JesseLingard pic.twitter.com/V2eyXx5aG8
When his name was published among England squad that will execute the country’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers this March, the England international took to Twitter to express his excitement.
“Buzzin to be recalled back into the
@England squad after 2 years. Its been a long journey very mentally challenging but full of hard work and belief. Thank you to everyone who believed in me, this is just the start”, he tweeted.
Buzzin to be recalled back into the @England squad after 2 years 😆 Its been a long journey very mentally challenging but full of hard work and belief 💪🏾 Thank you to everyone who believed in me, this is just the start ⚡️#workmode #JL11NGZ @WestHam pic.twitter.com/cFeZtiiW0X
— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) March 18, 2021
On his improved form at West Ham United, Jesse Lingard told BBC that he joined West Ham with a good mindset which has been helping him to do well at the London club.
His input at the club has helped West Ham United to remain 5th on the league table with 49 points in 29 games, two points below 4th placed Chelsea football club.
In the last game the club played before the March FIFA international break, Lingard scored a goal in the club’s 3-3 draw with Arsenal which means that he has contributed to almost all the games West Ham had played since he joined the club in January.
“I have written all the games down and I have got different things like shots and take-on and things like that,” he said.
“I’ve got another board full of inspirational quotes and things that can get that fire in my belly.
“I have come here with a really good mindset, and a really good focus and concentration on what I need to do.”
He’s back 🤩 pic.twitter.com/42li0zXq4W
— England (@England) March 22, 2021
