Frank McAvennie hails Jesse Lingard after post about West Ham star Declan Rice
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 was delighted to see Jesse Lingard’s online post about West Ham star Declan Rice during England’s clash with Croatia on Sunday.
The Three Lions kicked off their European Championships campaign with a 1-0 win at Wembley, and Irons midfielder Rice played the full game.
Manchester United’s Lingard, who shone on loan at the Irons during the second half of last season, was left out of the England squad, but showed his support for the team on his personal Instagram profile.
He posed for a photo with an England shirt on that had ‘Rice’ on the back of it, and ex-Irons striker McAvennie couldn’t help but laugh as the post set pulses racing on social media.
“He’s a wind-up merchant,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone. “I think he’s great. I was just laughing and thinking ‘yeah, brilliant.’
“He likes a laugh and a joke, going into a pub with that on it’s brilliant, I think it’s wonderful that he’s done that.
“It’s brought more attention and hopefully he’s that relaxed and comfortable at West Ham that he’ll stay.”
Hoping for a big hint
All West Ham supporters are desperate to see Lingard return to the London Stadium next season, such was the form he showed in the second half of the 2020/21 campaign.
The 28-year-old ripped it up as he scored nine Premier League goals to earn an England call-up in March, and he helped us to Europa League qualification.
He struck up a close friendship with a few players but none closer than the one he forged with Rice.
The two appeared inseparable as their positive personalities were a perfect match.
Let’s just hope that Rice can help to convince Lingard to sign on permanent terms and reunite their formidable partnership on the field.
In other West Ham news, Ally McCoist was blown away by this Irons star compared to a Manchester United legend.
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