Pranav Nair
West Ham United to pursue Jesse Lingard and Phil Jones if they avoid relegation
According to the Independent, Premier League strugglers West Ham United could swoop in for Manchester United duo Jesse Lingard and Phil Jones this summer.
This, however, remains conditional to the prospect of the Hammers preserving their status as a top-flight team. Currently four points in the green with a superior goal difference, we have to say that the chances of that happening look pretty good.
West Ham are currently managed by former United boss David Moyes. He will have an excellent idea of the United duo’s capabilities, having overseen them while at Old Trafford.
He views Jones as a player who can lift his club’s spirits. It should work well for us too given the fact that he is now considered expendable. A key factor in negotiations could be Jones’ contract. The Englishman signed a four-year extension just last summer. (h/t Independent)
Lingard, on the other hand, is much more in demand despite having a season to forget. The likes of West Bromwich Albion and Everton are also keeping tabs on the attacker.
According to the report, both players are keen to stay. However, they will at best play a peripheral role given their current stature.
United have emerged as a tour de force in recent months, with a number of stars stepping up. This has seen Lingard drop down the pecking order.
New beginnings
Jones has endured a mixed time at United. His performances have ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime. But there is no argument that he failed to live up to expectations.
Injuries have played their part and the 28-year-old will do well to reinvent himself elsewhere. Jonny Evans went on to enjoy a good spell at comparatively lower teams. There is no reason why Jones cannot do the same.
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Lingard is an excellent player who looks out of his depth at United. His commitment cannot be questioned but his ability to make a difference can.
The 27-year-old can thrive at a club where expectations are lower. The weight of the United jersey is just too much for him at this point in time. We feel Arsenal should buy him just so he cannot score against them again.
