Pearce believes Lingard could make unlikely return to England squad for Euros
West Ham coach Stuart Pearce has claimed that Jesse Lingard could still force his way into the England squad for the Euros this summer.
The 28-year-old has been in excellent form since making his loan switch to east London from Manchester United in January. Lingard scored twice on his debut and has helped the Hammers maintain their European football push.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Pearce claimed the attacker has adjusted well to life at West Ham and has every chance of getting back in the national set-up.
“He’s come and certainly given us another dimension at the club,” Pearce said.
“He’s got a great bubbly personality and has fitted in straight away with the boys.
“I think he needed a move away from United, he wasn’t playing and whatever and I think this has rekindled him a bit and he’s really enjoying his football.
“I’ve had the conversation with Jesse, shortly after he was here having talked to Gareth and said there is an opportunity if your form’s good. Gareth always leaves the door open for players.
“I’d be delighted if Jesse’s form at our club got him back into the international fold again, that would be brilliant.”
Another dimension
Lingard’s been playing like a man possessed since joining from United. The number 11 feels he has a point to prove, and is going about it all in the right way.
In his five games for West Ham, he’s scored three goals, got an assist and won a penalty. In that time we’ve won three, drawn one and lost once to Manchester City.
It’s this kind of form creatively that puts him in with a shout of making the England squad. There are some fantastic attacking players at our disposal at the moment – Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Mason Mount and James Maddison to name a few.
While they’re fantastic players, Lingard does have one thing over them all, experience. He has more England caps than the four of them combined. He also played a key role as England made the World Cup semi-final.
Southgate is known for picking players in form. With the way he’s performing, Lingard could absolutely get a call up if he keeps this up. The England boss was in attendance when we defeated villa 3-1 on his debut. He scored twice that day, while rival Jack Grealish had a torrid evening being marked by Vladimir Coufal.
Time will tell, but don’t write this off altogether. Lingard is in excellent form, and if we finish the season well, he could be off with Rice to the Euros.
In other West Ham news, here is a look back at the last time we hosted Leeds in the top-flight.