LINGARD CHANCE IN SAUDI

IT’S clearly strikers week in the Fowler column – because I’m also interested in Jesse Lingard’s situation, after West Ham decided not to take him.

Lingard (above) is still only 30, probably should be at the peak of his powers and, in the modern game with all the science and diet support, should have four or five years left at the top level.

So it was a surprise to see the transfer window come and go and him not join a Premier League club.

I don’t know the ins and outs of his situation, but it suggests there must be an issue because there’s absolutely no doubt he has a real talent, which makes him a player for the top level.

He showed it with England at the 2018 World Cup and again in that remarkable loan spell with West Ham, when he scored nine goals in a couple of months to help keep them up.

I was surprised when he went back to Manchester United when it was clear he wouldn’t get many chances. I was also surprised he went to Forest on a one-year contract.

To me, players thrive on stability and a longer contract helps with that. OK, maybe he was backing himself to get a long-term one with a flying start, but it didn’t happen – and then you’re up against it.

He made only a handful of starts and seemed pretty demoralised. I don’t think that helped his situation at all, or his mentality.

Now he has a chance with my mate Steven Gerrard at Al-ettifaq. Stevie was the ultimate pro with an incredible appetite for the game – and that can only help Jesse.

Same as Jordan Henderson. He has standards which I’m sure he’s imposed on the club already, and, again, that sort of mentality can help Lingard.

I know one thing for sure, he has quality – and any team that unlocks that will definitely be getting a top player.