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Bobby Zamora on what he has told West Ham captain about Jesse Lingard
that he has urged West Ham United captain Mark Noble to keep Jesse Lingard in line, after the Manchester United playmaker completed a loan move to the Hammers until the end of the season.
Lingard, 28, was signed too late by the Hammers for the England man to feature against Liverpool last time out – but he is expected to be in the squad that travels to Villa Park on Wednesday night to face Aston Villa.
The midfielder has penned a loan deal until the summer, which is when his United contract runs out. He has until now and then to show the Hammers – or other interested parties – what he is capable of, and perhaps earn a permanent deal elsewhere.
West Ham icon Zamora has claimed he spoke to Rio Ferdinand and Noble in a group call over the weekend, and told Noble that he must pull Lingard if the midfielder is not focusing fully on his football – with Lingard known for his social media antics.
“I am excited, we know what he is capable of,” Zamora said. “I spoke to Rio Ferdinand and Mark Noble yesterday, and we were talking about Jesse. I said personally I think it is time during this loan, to forget about the social media, focus on your football.
“If you see him start doing these crazy videos, you need to pull him – I know he’s club captain. Someone needs to do that sometimes. He’s a fantastic talent, but we need to see more of that and I’d like to see that.”
TBR’s view – Zamora is right, Lingard needs to knuckle down
It has been a difficult few seasons for Lingard – certainly, many are quick to judge his performances on the field when he has so many personal battles that he has had to deal with. Now, he has a new lease of life at West Ham.
The Hammers need to make sure he is focused – for the good of the player but also for the club itself. Both Lingard and the Hammers need the playmaker to be firing on all cylinders, to aid his resurgence but to also boost the their European pursuit.
