The Untold Fitness Tale of Lingard and West Ham
The ups and downs of players’ fortunes in football are as predictable as the British weather. One such tale centers on the mysterious Jesse Lingard and West Ham, a dominant force in London.
A Former Glowed in Claret and Blue.
When looking back, Lingard’s brief relationship with the Hammers in the second half of the 2020–21 season was the stuff of legends. He directed performances that resulted in six goals, thereby giving West Ham a second chance. But as it does so frequently, the tide changed. Lingard avoided going back to the London Stadium despite the pleasant memories and stellar statistics, opting instead for the attraction of a tantalizing contract with Nottingham Forest.
An Unexpected Reunion Between the Hammers and the Forest?
After spending a year with Nottingham Forest, Lingard found himself without a club. Fast forward a little. West Ham gave the 30-year-old a platform to train with them after perhaps spotting an opening. This action led to rumors. Is this the beginning of a second romance? a glimmer of optimism?
After Lingard wore the claret and blue during a behind-closed-doors match against Ipswich Town, the rumblings got louder. But as in all excellent stories, the storyline changed.
Al Ettifaq’s Future
Few people knew the real reason why Lingard was moving on to the legendary Steven Gerrard-managed Saudi Pro League team Al Ettifaq. It was widely believed that Lingard himself made this decision because he was desperate for a new beginning.
However, the story was reversed, as Football Insider noted.
The Fitness Catch-22
It turned out that David Moyes and his group of tactical analysts had reservations. They all agreed that Lingard wasn’t physically prepared for the demanding demands of playing midfield in the Premier League. They reasoned that the road to peak fitness would be a long one, possibly longer than what West Ham were ready to commit to.
This resulted in the difficult decision. West Ham made the decision to sever ties with a player who had recently proven essential to their survival.
Lingard’s Future Journey
One can only hope that Lingard finds the appropriate fit in his next endeavor after giving it everything in 20 outings for Nottingham Forest, starting 14 of them. This story, whether it happened at Al Ettifaq or somewhere else, is proof of how exhilarating and unpredictable football’s story can be.
