BBC pundit Garth Crooks selects West Ham ace in team of the week
West Ham loanee Jesse Lingard has been selected by BBC pundit Garth Crooks for his team of the week after dazzling against Leicester City.
The 28-year-old scored a brace as the Hammers won 3-2 for the second time this week. Despite missing frontman Michail Antonio, the Hammers were still clinical in front of goal. Jarrod Bowen got the winner in the second half, his third goal in three games.
Pundits from all over the country are raving about Lingard’s revival at West Ham. Speaking in his BBC Sport column, Crooks labelled the Englishman as ‘top-class’ but still decided to take a ridiculous swipe at the loanee’s goal celebrations.
“Yet another top-class performance from Jesse Lingard,” said Crooks.
“Since his arrival from Manchester United, the England international has taken the Hammers into the top four and made them look like serious contenders for a Champions League spot.
“Goals matched by bundles of energy, commitment and desire takes the player back to when he was producing excellent performances for Manchester United.
“He’s doing fantastically for West Ham, but he really needs to leave out the dance celebrations if he wants us to take him seriously.”
If it isn’t broke…
If the dances are what motivates him to keep scoring, then dance away, Jesse. We can’t fault him, the only person who isn’t taking him seriously is Crooks by the sound of it. Maybe he’s just bitter Spurs didn’t sign him.
Lingard shone against the Foxes and scored his second brace for the club in nine matches. He was far from perfect on the day, though.
The forward failed to complete any of his attempted dribbles (3) or crosses (2) successfully on the day, and at times was wasteful n possession [WyScout].
In fairness to Lingard, it’s hard to criticise him when he’s scoring as many goals as he is at the moment. He almost picked up an assist, too, had Issa Diop not strayed marginally offside.
Nine games for West Ham, eight goals and three assists. He’s averaging a goal involvement with every 77.27 minutes of action gone. Lingard is performing at world-class levels at the moment. Let’s just hope he decides his long-term future lies in east London.
In other West Ham news, here are three things we learned in the 3-2 victory over Leicester on Sunday.