Surplus for United, big plus for England
ACCORDING to Gareth Southgate, Jesse Lingard is “fortunate” to be part of this current England squad.
And Lingard is, of course. Extremely fortunate.
He cannot get anywhere near his own Premier League team, for goodness sake.
His club manager rates him so highly, he was happy to lend Lingard to an outfit that has ambitions to be seen as a credible rival.
Manchester United might currently be second in the Premier League table but they are hardly setting the game alight this season.
Yet Lingard was still surplus to requirements. And if you are surplus to requirements at your Premier League club, you are, indeed, lucky to be required by England.
Although Lingard has shone after being leased to West Ham, injuries have also facilitated his return to the international fold.
But Southgate also never forgets a favourite player. He is not afraid to drop them, that is for sure.
Ask Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Lingard and, now, Trent
Alexander-Arnold. But as Walker, Trippier and Lingard will tell you, he is not afraid to recall them.
Southgate does not mind hooking up with an old flame.
And 28-year-old Lingard still burns brightly.
The caveat has to be painted large. Lads, it was San Marino.
Harry Kane might have broken Wayne Rooney’s all-time record tally had he started this non-contest.
And considering he has had his eye in for West Ham, Lingard fluffed a fair few lines in front of goal.
More than a fair few.
One of his many efforts here actually brought a high-class save out of Elia Benedettini but one scuffed half-volley was a particularly ugly miss and more typical of his night. Yet despite his inability to make scoring hay against such feeble opposition, Lingard brought exactly what Southgate likes. Intelligent runs, decent deliveries – his assist for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s second was top notch – and high work-rate.
It really is that simple. Southgate (left) likes his effervescence, it is why he gave Lingard his debut against Malta back in October of 2016. Southgate’s first match of 50 as England manager was Lingard’s first match of 25 as an England player.
They go back, these two. And Lingard did not let Southgate down at World Cup 2018. In fact, he was one of his go-to players. This one performance – especially as it was a misfiring performance as far as finishing goes – does not guarantee Lingard a prominent place in Southgate’s thinking for the Euro finals.
The England manager has been formulating those thoughts for some time and has a wealth of options in attacking midfield areas.
But after being confined to the training field by United and now joyfully unleashing his frustration at West Ham, Lingard is nothing if not spring fresh.
He might not be considered one of the young models but Lingard will still have a full tank when June arrives.
Don’t be surprised if that counts for something in Southgate’s eyes.
And while he might have been fortunate to be here, don’t be surprised if Jesse Lingard takes centre-stage the summer.