BBC PL Team of the Week throws up bizarre criticism of Jesse Lingard

The BBC don’t pay Garth Crooks to write about footballers dancing. Although he claims not to be a fan of Jesse Lingard’s dance moves, the Beeb columnist couldn’t help but include them in his weekend review.

Crooks picks a Team of the Week after each round of Premier League fixtures and selected Lingard in central midfield (disclaimer: this is not Lingard’s position, nor is it where he played for West Ham against Leicester.

He starts off by doing his job, analysing Lingard’s impressive performance against the Foxes, but goes on to pass comment on the midfielder’s celebrations.

He wrote via BBC Sport: “Yet another top-class performance from Jesse Lingard. Since his arrival from Manchester United the England international has taken the Hammers into the top four and made them look like serious contenders for a Champions League spot.

“Goals matched by bundles of energy, committed and desire takes the player back to when he was producing excellent performances for Manchester United. He’s doing fantastically for West Ham, but he really needs to leave out the dance celebrations if he wants us to take him seriously.”

It doesn’t concern Crooks and I wonder if he’d prefer to see him upset, sobbing after hitting the back of the net?

Is Crooks concerned about what we think he should do to be taken seriously, but I highly doubt Lingard cares about his opinion.

It’s a bizarre take and I’m surprised the BBC editor approved the last sentence.

Edinson Cavani was the only United player to make the Team of the Week.

Read more: Gary Neville wants Edinson Cavani to extend United stay

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