The Jesse Lingard Saga – Will He Return?

Since Jesse Lingard left West Ham to return to his parent club Manchester United last May, many have speculated that the attacker may make a permanent move to East London. After being promised game-time from former Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Lingard chose to stay at his boyhood club in the Summer Transfer Window. Since scoring the winner for the Reds at the London Stadium in September, Lingard has played a total of 58 minutes (according to the Premier League) – with all of these appearances coming from off the bench. With a World Cup spot up for contention, chances are, he will want regular football. So, after proving such an unbelievable signing this time last year, we pose the question – will Jesse Lingard return to the Hammers?

The 2021 January transfer window revived Jesse Lingard’s career. In the space of just four months at West Ham, he had won April’s Player of the Month, April’s Goal of the Month, had scored 9 goals (more than he had scored in any season at Man Utd), made 4 assists, and was called up to the England squad for the first time in 2 years – with a real chance of being chosen for the final Euro 2020 squad.

In my own opinion, Lingard fits our system so perfectly. He had the comfort of working with a familiar manager in David Moyes, who really transformed his attacking play. The link-up between Lingard, Fornals, Bowen, and Antonio, transitioning from Rice and Soucek‘s solid defensive midfield duties, enabled the Hammers to see off games – ultimately securing our spot in European Football. The team flowed perfectly, and despite additions since Lingard’s departure, the Hammers have struggled to maintain their goalscoring threat across the winter months. Furthermore, West Ham see Said Benrahma absent through international duty, wearing the squad even thinner.

Lingard chose to stick at his boyhood club in the Summer Transfer Window after being promised game-time from then manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. However, after a promising start to his season, Lingard began to see less and less action in the starting eleven. His Man Utd career went into further jeopardy after the sacking of OGS and the hiring of interim manager Ralf Rangnick – who he is yet to play a minute of Premier League football under. Lingard’s last league appearance for the Reds was on 2nd December 2021 under Michael Carrick’s supervision. Jesse may just agree it’s time to move on from the club he’s spent 20 years at.

I have seen a lot on social media suggesting that Lingard cannot decide whether he wants to rejoin or not. Occasionally, his brother/agent has suggested the Warrington-born attacker would be open to returning, whereas other times, media outlets have suggested he will see the season out with the Red Devils. These conflicting comments have seen West Ham fans divided in opinion. For example, it’s very easy to say, “Well, there are other targets we can go for, who are younger and hungrier,” to which I’d reply, “Nonsense.”

Sure, there will always be other options in football. These “other options” may be 20 years old, potentially getting a few goals and assists to their names in a foreign league. However, for a reported £10million, Jesse Lingard, who:

• Has played with the current squad, and has built up a good relationship in this time,
• Has played under the manager in two separate spells and therefore understands his style of play,
• Has been amongst the Premier League for 10 years,
• And, understands what it means to be West Ham, to play for the badge, and to leave everything on the pitch.

I’m not suggesting that “other options” shouldn’t be brought in, that we shouldn’t look for young prospects in foreign leagues, but, Lingard has to be one of our first transfers in January. We need his attacking threat, work rate, and charisma in the dressing room, as much as he needs game-time, a chance to revive his career for a second time, and ultimately secure a place on the plane to Qatar.