Speaking on BT Sport’s coverage of West Ham vs Manchester City (12:05PM 27/2/20), Joe Cole has waxed-lyrical about Jesse Lingard, comparing him to Phil Foden.
The former Hammers midfielder has clearly been impressed by David Moyes’ January signing as he lavished praise upon him before the City game.
Cole claims that he’s always been a fan of Lingard’s and he says that he’s finally at the right club where he will flourish.
“I’ve always been a fan of Jesse’s, but he’s lost his way in the last couple of years. Some of the fault there has to go to the manager’s for not fancying him, but this is what he brings to this club. David Moyes alluded to it saying he can play in three or four positions. He’s very much like Phil Foden in that he can find space well,” Joe Cole said.
“He’s found a club where they’ll will love a player like him, he’s hard working, his hustle and bustle. He’s also got quality and ability to do things like this.”
Cole is absolutely right about Lingard’s quality, he’s been nothing short of a revalation since joining the Hammers.
The fact that he’s compared him to Foden is rather interesting, but we can see where he’s coming from on that front due to his ability to exploit holes in defences and his immense work rate.
Unfortunately for Lingard, Foden is a number of years younger than him and that doesn’t bode well for his chances of getting back into England’s starting XI.
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