Pundit Garth Crooks has questioned why Jesse Lingard opted to join Nottingham Forest over reported interest from West Ham.
Jesse Lingard left his boyhood club Manchester United in the summer and with weeks of speculation surrounding his future, surprised many by joining newly promoted Forest.
Lingard was anonymous in his debut for the club, a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United, which forced pundits and fans to once again raise the fact he turned down the opportunity to return to the Hammers.
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The England international spent the second-half of the 2020/21 season at the London Stadium where he helped David Moyes' side finish sixth and qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
His nine goals and five assists in 16 Premier League games led many to believe he would return to east London the following year but Lingard opted to stay with United where he would once again make 16 league appearances but this time over the course of an entire season and not half of one.
With a free transfer to West Ham available to him, the 29-year-old decided to test himself with Forest on a one-year deal and Crooks has labelled the move 'ridiculous.'
“Schar’s strike for Newcastle’s opening goal was struck beautifully," Crooks told the BBC. "This footballer can defend and play in equal measure. Precisely what Lingard is doing at Forest I am not entirely sure, but a one-year deal on a free transfer? What sort of commitment is that? Does Lingard think we are all stupid?
“Take the deal and split if the team goes down – is that the plan? I’m not sure who looks more ridiculous. Lingard for signing or Forest for accepting the terms.”
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