West Ham United star Jesse Lingard could force Aston Villa hero Jack Grealish out of the England squad this summer.
Moyes to Celtic and Lampard to West Ham – insider delivers verdict
That’s according to Sky Sports pundit and former Aston Villa man Paul Merson.
Lingard has been a revelation since signing for West Ham in January.
Lingard replaces injured Villa star Grealish in England squad thanks to scintillating West Ham form
The midfield ace has hit five goals, provided three assists and won two penalties to keep West Ham’s Champions League dream alive.
The 28-year-old’s form has seen him earn an England recall after two years in the wilderness.
On his Hammers debut at Villa Park, Lingard stole the show with a brace as he outshone Grealish.
And now Merson believes Gareth Southgate may go with Lingard over Villa’s talisman Grealish for the European Championships (Sky Sports).
“I’m a big fan of his, he’s a clever footballer,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“It shows how highly thought of he is in that he’s played six or seven weeks of football and he’s back in the England squad – it tells you he’s a good footballer.
Merson thinks Lingard could force Grealish out of Euros squad
“If Lingard does well (with England), it opens up the question of if Jack Grealish gets in. I’m Jack’s biggest fan, but I’m not sure Gareth (Southgate) is. It will be interesting to see how Jesse Lingard does and if he’s given an opportunity. If he’s not given one, then I don’t see a problem with Jack walking straight back into the squad but if Lingard is given an opportunity and does well, I don’t know how Jack gets in the squad then.
“It’s the biggest compliment ever, he’s played hardly any football but came in at West Ham, done great and has gone straight back into the England squad so that tells me Gareth likes him and trusts him.
“Gareth needs to nail this team down and how we’re going to play. I don’t think we’re at a stage now, with the tournament starting in June, where we’re experimenting and giving caps out.”
Grealish is currently injured and Aston Villa have missed him enormously.
Lingard one of the most in-form players in Europe
But he would have some job to be keeping company with Lingard in terms of form at the moment even if he was fit.
That’s because the West Ham man is officially in the top 1% of players in Europe’s top five leagues (FBRef).
Lingard’s incredible record since joining West Ham has seen him score 0.87 non penalty goals per game. That puts him in the top 1% of players across Europe’s top five leagues. That includes the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1.
He’s also in the top 10% for pressing and the top 11% for total shots.
FBRef also carry a player comparison list, and Lingard is said to be in just as good form as Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Leicester’s James Maddison and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.
Young star loved by West Ham players and staff could be ready to save Moyes millions
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
