Jesse Lingard

Lingard posts message to England team-mates

Tuesday 08 June 2021 08:25

Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has wished his England team-mates well at Euro 2020, after missing out on Gareth Southgate’s final squad.

Lingard, who scored nine times in 16 games for West Ham during a productive loan spell in the second half of the season, was initially left out of the Three Lions’ selection last week, when Southgate’s initial 33-man group was trimmed to 26.

However, the injury suffered by Trent Alexander-Arnold in the win over Austria gave the 28-year-old an opportunity to join fellow Reds Dean Henderson, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford at the tournament.

Lingard featured in both of England’s pre-tournament friendlies, helping Southgate out when several players were unavailable, and played a part in Bukayo Saka’s goal against the Austrians.

But our no.14 ultimately missed out on the opportunity to repeat his stellar performances from the 2018 Russia World Cup.

Brighton’s Ben White, who can play across the backline and also cover in midfield, has been chosen as Alexander-Arnold’s replacement, having made his international debut earlier this month.

Despite the disappointment, Jesse, posting on social media, said he’d be backing the boys as they aim to lift the trophy for the first time in the tournament’s 61-year history.

“When it comes to being involved with the boys and representing my country I’ll never stop smiling,” Jesse wrote on Monday.

“I’ll be supporting the team all summer! Good luck to the lads! Bring it home.”

England kick off their European Championship campaign against Croatia at Wembley on Sunday.

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