Lingard: Southgate advised me on loan transfer to West Ham from Manchester United
The 28-year-old has been told by his England boss that he had better stay in the Premier League if he leaves Old Trafford
Jesse Lingard has said England boss Gareth Southgate advised him to join West Ham on loan from Manchester United.
Lingard didn’t record a single Premier League appearance for the Red Devils in 2020-21 before moving temporarily to West Ham in January.
The 28-year-old took his first steps with the Hammers, scoring five goals and two assists in his first seven Premier League games to earn a call-back to the England squad.
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What was said?
“He showed a lot of support and confidence in me, he made my debut in England, which I am proud of,” Lingard said. talkSPORT from Southgate.
“I kept in touch with him even though I wasn’t playing, just to get his advice on what to do.
“It was pretty much the right decision, whether to go to Europe or stay in the Premier League.
He said: ‘If I were you I would stay in the Premier League.’ After that it was about finding a Premier League side and West Ham fit in perfectly.
Lingard brings England back
Lingard will have a chance to add to their 24 caps when England face San Marino, Albania and Poland in the World Cup qualifiers this month.
The forward became a key figure for the Three Lions after making his debut in 2016, and he started all but one game as England advanced to the 2018 World Cup semi-final.
Lingard’s most recent selection came in June 2019, when he started the UEFA Nations League third-place game against Switzerland.
On his return to England, Lingard added: “I had to work hard and graft, and I still believe in myself to play at the highest level. If you work hard, you get the rewards at the end. “