Former Chelsea man Jason Cundy believes signing Jesse Lingard could prove a masterstroke for Nottingham Forest - providing he keeps them in the Premier League.
Eyebrows were raised in the football world as the Reds enticed the former Manchester United star to the City Ground on a one-year deal.
Last season, the 29-year-old cut an isolated figure on the Old Trafford sidelines. Just three top-flight starts in 2021-22 made Lingard surplus to requirements and he was released at the end of June - ending his 22-year association with the Red Devils.
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Forest are now the beneficiaries of an experienced professional with 32 caps for England ahead of their Premier League return. Critics have cited Lingard’s inflated wage as cause for concern.
However, Cundy thinks his pay packet is irrelevant if he contributes to the Tricky Trees beating the drop. The 52-year-old also tipped Lingard to nick a World Cup place if he can replicate the form shown at West Ham United last year.
“It is not gonna break the bank," Cundy told talkSPORT. "They're not committed after these 12 months. He's happy; Forest are happy.
“I think it's actually a decent piece of business because he's got Premier League experience. Whatever you think of Jesse Lingard, when he turned up at West Ham, he put the hard yards in.
“I think a lot of people were a bit surprised. People think he's just a TikTok dancer - there is more to it than that. You don't get to do what he's done in the game, play for Manchester United and England, if you haven't got something about you.
“I don't care what he does off the pitch, he can do what he wants. He can dance, he can do whatever goes. If he turns up and puts in the performances that keep Forest up, that's one of the best pieces of business they've done.
“If he keeps them up, I don't have a problem with it. A lot of people (are saying) he's not worth £200,000-a-week. Let me tell you: for free transfer, for a 29-year-old, ex-Man United and England player… he could well be involved in the squad for Gareth Southgate at the World Cup.”
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