GAME FOR A LAUGH
Jesse’s happy to be the joker in the pack.. and thinks the Three Lions stars will benefit from Southgate’s freedom
JESSE LINGARD plays with a smile on his face - and, more importantly, with no fear when he pulls on an England shirt.
That is why Gareth Southgate has made Lingard a mainstay of his England squad – like Jose Mourinho, he values the forward’s qualities off the pitch as well as on it.
Manchester United boss Mourinho called Lingard “naughty but funny” and clearly has a lot of affection for the 25-year-old, who enjoys being seen as the joker in the pack.
Lingard’s is the sort of attitude that Southgate wants in his squad to lighten the mood after years of England players complaining of pressure and inhibition when pulling on a Three Lions shirt.
“Southgate’s mentality is that if you play with freedom, if you play without fear, you will enjoy your time more,” said Lingard (below).
“So as a group of players that is what we are going to do – enjoy our football, play with no fear, and play exciting football at the same time.
“It’s in my character (to be a joker). It’s the way I’ve been brought up by my family. It helps around the camp. It’s always good to have a happy camp.
“I don’t really play pranks as such. I’m there for the spirit of the camp to get everyone going, to get them all happy.
“We are a team with youth. We are a pacy team but we have plenty of experience mixed in as well.”
Lingard says he has just had the best season of his career yet it was during the previous year that he made his England debut in Southgate’s first game in charge, against Malta in October 2016.
The Three Lions chief has championed Lingard ever since their days together in the Under-21s and that faith has paid off, with Lingard becoming a key member of the squad.
He is also a man for the big occasion, scoring the United winner in the 2016 FA Cup final.
Lingard admits he relishes the big occasions and maybe that is why Southgate rates him so highly and is set to start with him against Tunisia on Monday.
“I think you have just got to embrace the moments,” Lingard said.
“You’ve got to enjoy your time on the field no matter what game it is. You have to go into the big games full of confidence and knowing that you are going to win.
“We’ve been training together for a long time now so the confidence is up and we can’t wait to get going. We’re excited to make our mark on the World Cup.
“Yeah, playing regularly helps of course but to score the goals I did and the assists to help the team has put me in good stead for the World Cup.
“I think it’s all about confidence. If you are scoring goals for Manchester United your confidence is always going to be up. Then you can really start enjoying your football and playing how you normally play.”
While Mourinho has taken a lot of stick at times, Lingard has two managers who clearly rate him highly and that is doing wonders for his confidence.
“It’s always good for a player and a manager to be on the same level,” said Lingard about Mourinho. “He understands me and my character.”