Jesse Lingard played a fine role as England demolished a poor Andorra side 4-0 in their return to Wembley. It was the first time the Three Lions have played at Wembley Stadium since losing the final of Euro 2020 against Italy on a day that had so much promise; so much potential to highlight the good of the country before turning into a night of shame thanks to those in the stands.
Two months later, however, and the likes of Bukayo Saka received a hero’s welcome – a welcome which contrasts his exit against Italy. And rightly so, too. The Arsenal man is one of the brightest English prospects around, and his vibrant personality only adds to the adoration many have for him.
Meanwhile, Jesse Lingard returned to action in fine form, netting two goals, the first of which came with the greatest crossover since Avengers: Endgame, when he unveiled the ‘J-Lingz/Ronaldo celebration. But, as he leaped into the air with joy, perhaps a little frustration and regret would have been creeping in. Perhaps he would have been asking himself in that moment, why sit on the bench at Old Trafford when I could be feeling this same joy every week elsewhere?
England Performance Will Frustrate Jesse Lingard as Much as it Will Delight Him
Jesse Lingard Will Regret United Stay
Manchester United had a summer to remember, perhaps their greatest summer of transfers ever, in fact. In came Jadon Sancho, and, at the time, fans would have been satisfied with that. But then in came Raphael Varane, the surprise gift. Fans would have been MORE than satisfied with that. This was until a certain Manchester United legend decided to leave Juventus, however.
Seemingly on the verge of joining Manchester City, as if the transfer window wasn’t weird enough, Manchester United swooped in with Sir Alex Ferguson in tow, and the rest will be history by the end of the season. So, to sum that up, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now has Cristiano Ronaldo, Varane and Sancho at his disposal, and still some fans are demanding a central midfielder in order to secure silverware!
Anyway, in amongst all of that is one man. Jesse Lingard. Fresh from West Ham heroics, the attacking midfielder decided to stay put this summer in admirable fashion. He wants to fight for his place, but sometimes you need to pick your battles; pick those that you stand a chance of winning, and not the one Donny van de Beek has already lost.
His England display proved that he is still fit and raring to go; he just needs a chance. But will it even arrive? The fact is, such is the difficulty to pick Manchester United’s strongest side after their summer spending spree, Lingard has almost become the forgotten man; the square peg in the round hole; the player who may be consigned to the bench.
Lack of Game Time Will Come at a Cost
It would be an incredible shame, but it is hard to escape the fact that a lack of game time will cost Jesse Lingard his England place. Gareth Southgate simply wouldn’t be able to justify it given the amount of competition for places.
How could the Three Lions boss look at the likes of James Ward-Prowse and perhaps even Dele Alli, who is in a similar situation to the one Lingard found himself not so long ago, re-finding his touch, or James Maddison, and decide to pick Jesse Lingard of the Manchester United bench?
Talent-wise, Lingard is better than all of the above. Yet, what’s the point of having that talent if you cannot use it?
The World Cup is coming up in the winter of 2022, and Jesse Lingard must go for game time over the love of his boyhood club because, at 28, he cannot afford to pass up another opportunity at potential England heroics.
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