Simon Jordan has claimed that West Ham United and Newcastle United transfer target, Jesse Lingard, has ‘flushed’ the last three years of his career after leaving Manchester United, as he told talkSPORT.
Last summer, after a fruitful loan spell in the colours of West Ham, Lingard had the chance to return to the London Stadium, but instead, he opted to stay in the colours of Manchester United.
Rather than pick up his faltering career, things went very wrong for the player last season, as he struggled to earn minutes for a Manchester United side that produced its worst campaign during the Premier League era.
Lingard is now a free-agent and the likes of West Ham and Newcastle have expressed an interest in bringing him on board – but it seems as though the issue with his possible signing is down to wage demands.
Former Crystal Palace owner Jordan was pretty critical of the attack-minded midfielder and how he has gone backwards during the past few years.
“Jesse Lingard has taken three years of his career and flushed it,” said Jordan. “He doesn’t accept the principles that he was not really regarded that highly at Manchester United to get into their team.
“He had an opportunity to go to West Ham and he has made it about finances. He ran down his contract to a free transfer because he knows that the free transfer side of things will enable his wage packet to be at a certain level.
“But that’s his choice. As an MVP, yes he will (earn as much as DC United as he can at West Ham if he moves to MLS). What did you think they did with Rooney when he moved there. He was their designated player.”
LAST BIG CONTRACT FOR LINGARD
The England international recently hit 30 and this next contract he signs will be the biggest one he signs because he is entering the veteran years of his career.
There is talk of the player moving to the MLS and joining DC United, and in truth, if he makes such a move then it would be a massive mistake.
It’s pretty clear that returning to West Ham would be the ideal move for the player and the club itself, especially given that the Hammers are still in Europe.
But if a move to either the London Stadium or St James’ Park isn’t going to materialise because of wage issues, then Lingard needs to look at himself and himself only.
At the end of the day, he is a free-agent and there comes a point where he needs to accept where he is at in his career and he is probably a lot lower than he thinks.
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