Harry Diamond
Declan Rice has praised the ‘infectious personality’ of Jesse Lingard and reckons the West Ham midfielder is one of the most in-form players in the Premier League.
Lingard has made an immediate impact since arriving on loan at the London Stadium from Manchester United, scoring five goals and providing two assists in just seven league appearances.
The 28-year-old’s performances have seen him recalled to the England squad after a two-year absence, with the star impressing to be named as Man of the Match in the Three Lions’ 5-0 thrashing of minnows San Marino last week.
Rice says he is delighted to see Lingard performing for both club and country in recent weeks and believes the loanee is ‘one of the best players’ in the Premier League on current form.
“Jesse is just such a great character and he has just added a lot to West Ham,” Rice told a pre-match press conference ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier with Poland.
“There is no doubt that he is one of the best players in the league right now in terms of form.”
Rice has opened up on Lingard’s character and says the midfielder has been a welcome addition to the dressing room at West Ham, whilst revealing the delight of the England squad to see his teammate return to the international fold.
Jesse Lingard made his first England appearance since June 2019.
He got the Messi treatment on his return 🙃 pic.twitter.com/1I3xJO0u4e
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 25, 2021
“I knew him from when I first joined up with England two years ago and he was in the squad,” he added.
“I think people have the wrong perception of what he is from social media – his Instagram and all that type of stuff.
“Now, having him at West Ham, he’s just got that infectious personality and the lads have really bought in to him, the lads all love him.
“He is a great person to be around. You can see that here as well. He has been away from the squad for two years but he has come back in and all the lads are buzzing to see him. He is making everyone laugh.”
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