Jesse Lingard has been handed a lifeline after Trent Alexander-Arnold was ruled out of this summers European Championships. The Liverpool defender was a surprise inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s squad earlier this week but hobbled of their 1-0 win over Austria on Wednesday, with scans later revealing a Grade 2 muscle tear.
“For me personally, it was very difficult to speak with Jesse, who has given so much for England performed so well for England over a long period of time,” Southgate said on his decision to leave Lingard out.
But after Alexander-Arnold’s injury, Lingard has emerged as the favourite to take his place in the squad. According to The Telegraph, the United midfielder is in pole position to fill in the vacated spot but Southgate will also look at Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse.
Lingard started for England against Austria and was involved in the game’s only goal, further showing what importance he can have to the squad going into the tournament.
England go into Euro 2020 with a young squad and Lingard’s experience, having featured almost every game in the 2018 World Cup, could prove to be priceless.
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Lingaard is more mobile than most and his distribution is progressive. He also gets into the box at he right time and is a genuine goal threat as West Ham have discovered to their delight.
He is right in form – therefore promote him.