Exclusive: McAvennie wants West Ham to sign Gilmour over Lingard
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie would rather see West Ham sign Billy Gilmour on loan from Chelsea than welcome Jesse Lingard on a temporary basis from Manchester United.
According to Sky Sports, the Hammers have agreed a deal to take Lingard, 28, on loan for the rest of the season after freeing up a loan spot by making Said Benrahma’s stay at the London Stadium permanent.
However, McAvennie has reservations about Lingard, who has played just three times in all competitions this season for Man United and has failed to play a single minute in the Premier League for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Chelsea youngster Gilmour, 19, reportedly wants to leave Stamford Bridge on loan to boost his chances of making the Scotland squad for the European Championships this summer [Daily Mail].
And while McAvennie admits Gilmour lacks experience, he believes the Scottish midfielder could offer more than Lingard.
“If I was West Ham, I’d maybe take Gilmour before I take Lingard,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone. “I think he’s get more game-time and he’s a creative player.
“Is he ready to play all the time in the Premier League? I don’t know. Maybe that’s a problem but I think he’s a good talent.
“I don’t know if he’s quite ready to play week in, week out in the Premier League but I don’t think they’ll get that off Lingard either.
“I don’t get it and if we had to sign someone on loan I’d rather take Gilmour.”
Gilmour, unlike Lingard, has actually played in the Premier League this season with the former Rangers academy ace playing against Everton last month and Manchester City this month.
He returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an injury in November but has played six times in Chelsea’s first-team since.
Gilmour plays in a deeper role than Lingard but McAvennie might have a point about him being more useful for David Moyes than the Man United outcast, who could struggle to fit into the Irons side at the moment.
In other West Ham news, here’s our predicted line-up for the meeting with Liverpool on Sunday.