Pundit shares ‘happy’ West Ham United fans verdict amid Jesse Lingard transfer news
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 believes West Ham fans would be happy if Jesse Lingard returned to the club and had the same impact as he previously did.
The attacker spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at the Hammers from Premier League rivals Manchester United. In East London, Lingard registered totals of nine goals and five assists from his 16 appearances.
He then returned to his parent club, before making a switch to Nottingham Forest on a one-year deal last summer, where he scored two goals and made two assists from his 20 appearances.
The 30-year-old left Forest at the end of his contract at the end of last season, and has since been training with the Hammers, with a short-term contract at his former club potentially on the cards [Sky Sports, 14 August].
Asked whether or not he would welcome Lingard back at the club, McAvennie told West Ham Zone: “It depends on what version we get.
“If we get the version that knocked us back and went to Nottingham Forest then no. But if we get the one that was at West Ham then yes.
“The one at Nottingham Forest last season was hopeless. When he was at West Ham, he got back in the England squad, and then he went to Forest and I’m thinking ‘Really?’
“I don’t understand why he did that. But listen, if he comes back and produces the football that we know he can produce, the fans will be happy. If he does that, I’m all for it.”
In other West Ham news, a Sky Sports journalist has shared a “mistake” verdict on a new Hammers signing.