Lingard for England? It’s still early days

One match can change so much in a footballer’s career. Score a crucial goal, get on the fans’ good side with an energetic display or maybe become a villain because of a mistake in play. It can all happen. Based on the West Ham’s win at Aston Villa on Wednesday night, Jesse Lingard has turned the corner and is now a strong candidate for a place in England squad – at least if you talk to fans.

Having spent most of the season on the fringes of Manchester United team, Lingard was starting to get restless. At 28, he was supposed to be one of the important players at Old Trafford. A local lad, he joined the club’s academy at the age of seven and has grown up as a Red. He was first promoted to the first team by the great Sir Alex Ferguson and, after loan stints with Leicester, Birmingham, Brighton and Derby, he was ready to become a dependable member of the team.

His strong showings were a signal to then-England manager Roy Hodgson to call the skilful midfielder up in 2015, although he would earn his first cap a year later in a World Cup qualifier against Malta. His career was booming. There were periods when his goals and assists contribution were questioned, but he was still a regular on the Red Devils team sheet.

Lingard playing for England (©Reuters)

But then season 2020/21 began and Lingard found himself out of Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans. There seemed to be no way back for him with the European Championship approaching. A January loan move to West Ham United was arranged in a bid to rescue Lingard’s season and give the Hammers some much-needed creativity on their way up the table.

And then, a few days later, Jesse’s West Ham debut came. And it was good. Very good. He scored a double as David Moyes’ side ran out 3-1 winners at Villa Park. It caused the country to take notice and remember all the hype surrounding the player. And Moyes certainly feels that the Englishman could earn an England call despite not playing regularly in recent months.

"There are a lot of people who are pushing hard to make the England squad for the Euros and why shouldn't Jesse push if he's in the form he was against Aston Villa? If he keeps that form up then it might be Gareth Southgate coming knocking again. He will have his own ambitions and challenges to show people he is still a good player and he showed a really good level.”

Joining a team that’s battling near the top of the table was exactly what Lingard needed to get his match sharpness and confidence to a level that could see him challenging for a place in the Euros. But for now, the man of the hour will be delighted that he’s moved to a club where he will get to play.

"The team have been great with me. I have settled in fairly quickly and some familiar faces help. In training we have that connection and built it up fairly quickly. I was smiling before the game and during, I just enjoy playing football. It has been a long time, I have come here to get game time and scored two goals but three points is the most important."

One match was enough to get people talking, but Lingard will need to deliver on regular basis to get that much-desired phone call.