The Jesse Lingard West Ham form is quickly creating a conundrum for Gareth Southgate. No player has scored more goals than the midfielder since he joined the Hammers. His resurgence has been unrivalled and unexpected.
Having failed to start in the Premier League for Manchester United this season, when Jesse Lingard jumped ship on loan to West Ham, many expected to see a rusty, out of form playmaker. Instead, they are paying witness to a man with a point to prove. Lingard is continually silencing any doubters and, most importantly, propelling West Ham into the Champions League.
His re-emergence gives Gareth Southgate the biggest of selection headaches. On this form, is there many better in Lingard’s position for England? He ticks all the boxes. Experience, tick. Creativity and flair, tick. The mentality to bounce back, to never give up, tick.
He has experienced the highest level before with both England and Manchester United. And that could be a key asset for Southgate. Whilst the likes of James Maddison, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden possess the raw ability, they lack the experience of Lingard.
If you cast your minds back to 2018, it was Lingard, currently at West Ham, who played a vital part in England’s impressive World Cup semi-finalists. And, if selected, he could be key once more.
Jesse Lingard West Ham Form Gives Southgate Dilemma
Lingard Reborn at West Ham
As alluded to before, many expected a player worn down with rust at West Ham. Instead, they got a signing of the season candidate. Nobody can quite believe that the player who spent the whole season on the United bench is now using his dancing feet to foxtrot West Ham into the unlikeliest of top-four finishes.
It’s almost as if an entirely different player arrived in London. Instead of the bench warmer, West Ham signed the player who scored the FA Cup-winning goal at Wembley in 2016. They signed the player who famously made the Emirates his dance floor.
Sometimes, all a player needs is a new opportunity in a pressure-free environment. And that is exactly what West Ham have handed Lingard. Nobody expected Lingard to perform so well, and, in turn, expectations were low for West Ham. The air-tight pressure of Old Trafford was lifted from Lingard as soon as he made the move.
There is never a bad time to step up and perform, but there is no better time than when your side are competing for a European place with the Euros awaiting.
Southgate’s Conundrum
England’s last golden generation soon turned to rust after failing to deliver. And Gareth Southgate, with a fresh batch of gold in his hands, will be desperate to avoid a similar fate. He must get his squad for the Euros right. It must balance that of experience and the bravery of the youth.
As we near selection time, it is fair to say that Southgate is not in an enviable position. In a 23 man squad, he must decide between a plethora of talented players. He will be forced into making the harshest of choices, especially in midfield.
James Maddison, Phil Foden, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish, James Ward-Prowse, and Mason Mount were all already competing for a place in the squad. Now, after an upturn in form for Lingard at West Ham, he has also been thrown into the mix.
Out of those nine players, Southgate will likely be forced to leave out at least two. So, who does he leave out? Lingard’s form since the turn of the year has been unmatched. Mount, too, has been superb. Meanwhile, Grealish and Maddison have been injured. They have also impressed throughout the season, however.
Southgate’s head must be thumping with each game he sees, and that’s just the midfield. Jesse Lingard, since his West Ham move, may have forced Southgate into making a decision.
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