David Moyes shares fresh Jesse Lingard update at West Ham United as ‘every opportunity’ claim made
David Moyes wants to give Jesse Lingard “every opportunity” to get back to full fitness as he continues to train with West Ham.
The man in the dugout confirmed that the free agent has been training with the East London club for the past three weeks.
Former Manchester United and England attacker Lingard spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at West Ham.
“Jesse has trained with us for three weeks and he’s improved greatly from when he first came in,” said Moyes, as quoted by Sky Sports (15 September). “He’s in really good condition – much better condition than he was when he first came in.
“I have to say, when Jesse joined us two years ago I think he scored nine goals in 15 games and was probably the difference between us getting into Europe for the first time. I want to give him every opportunity to get himself back in condition and see how he does.
“So there’s no real update on it at the moment, just to say that he’s back and getting much closer to the levels of fitness where you’d hope he would be.”
Second coming?
Lingard enjoyed a superb spell once upon a time in East London, with the player registering totals of nine goals and five assists from 16 appearances in claret and blue.
But he really hasn’t been the same player since, with the attacker struggling upon his return to parent club Manchester United and then in his one-season spell at Nottingham Forest.
The 30-year-old is now looking to get back to his best on the training pitch, and may just do enough to convince Moyes to give him another opportunity at the London Stadium.
West Ham strengthened well in the summer transfer window with the signatures of players such as James Ward-Prowse and Mohammed Kudus, but perhaps many fans wouldn’t say no to another arrival.
They could be convinced further once the Europa League campaign gets underway given how the Hammers often struggled to compete in all competitions last time out, before going on to lift the Europa Conference League trophy.
In other West Ham news, a journalist believes the club are “stronger” without Declan Rice as “positive” early signs emerge.