Stuart Pearce has told TalkSPORT that Jesse Lingard should have rejoined West Ham in the summer after his Manchester United contract expired – but instead, he chose Nottingham Forest, who are struggling in the drop zone.
Lingard, 29, has made a poor start to life at the City Ground. Indeed, the 32-time England international has featured in just seven of Forest’s nine games, only starting six times. On Monday night, he was an unused sub against Aston Villa.
It is a far cry from the player scoring goals at the 2018 World Cup, and shining on loan at West Ham. During the second half of the 2020-21 season, Lingard had a hand in 14 goals – during 16 games. Nine goals, and five assists.
But he chose to rejoin United after that loan – and again, struggled. Instead of a move to the Hammers in the last window, he chose Forest. It is unclear why Lingard continues to snub the Hammers, but Pearce is “astounded”.
“When he came and joined us his physical levels were fantastic. He is a good specimen as an athlete and gets around the pitch well. He just fitted the jigsaw perfectly at West Ham when he came to join us.
“You make your choice in regards to where you move and where you don’t. I’m on the outside of West Ham now, but I’m still quite astounded [he didn’t go back]. If it was me I’d be desperate to get back,” Pearce said, on Lingard.
Pearce: Lingard should have rejoined West Ham in the summer
It is a move that just made sense. David Moyes knows how to get the best out of Lingard. It was a move that saw him almost win a place in the Euro 2020 side, only to miss out at the last hurdle. So why would he not go back?
A move to Forest sees him remain closer to Manchester, which might have been part of the reason. Forest are also, according to numerous reports, offering him a very generous wage. But it is a move that has not gone to plan, so far.
Indeed, he may have felt he would be the main man when joining – but Morgan Gibbs-White has overtaken him. With Forest having to play conservatively, there is little room for Lingard in the starting XI under Steve Cooper.
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