When you see an exceptionally talented player who’s currently a free agent, even when it’s Jesse Lingard, there’s interest in that.
This is a guy who once had the world at his feet, a market value of £40M and who, as recently as 18 months ago, was tearing up the Premier League with West Ham – 9 goals, 5 assists in 16 appearances for the Londoners.
But at Utd, it just never really worked for him. And in all honesty, if it couldn’t work for Ronaldo there, it’s not really going to work for anyone. Not since Sir Alex.
And Lingard is undeniably a fiercely-talented player, who absolutely needs the right direction in his life to kick start that career again.
Are we saying Rangers should move for him? Well, in truth, despite all the apparent talent in the number 10 slot, Rangers don’t actually have one definitive and outstanding performer there.
Todd Cantwell hasn’t shone, Tom Lawrence is only still regaining fitness, Lowry and Hagi are away on loan and really that’s it. That’s all we have in that slot. It’s not an embarrassment of riches by any means.
Lingard isn’t just an AM, he’s an experienced LW and RW too, he’s completely capable in all front slots, so this wouldn’t just be for the middle.
Lingard is an experienced Premier League player, with 20 Champions League appearances and 32 caps for England, he’s a top player, and while we’re not claiming ‘Rangers is the right club and Philippe Clement is the right manager’ for the lad, it could be a signing worth making.
Of course, there’s shades of Aaron Ramsey here, but Lingard doesn’t have the Welsh failure’s injury history and he’s not attached to a club either – he’s a better player, period.
Similarly of course, it’s Philippe Clement’s call, or the new Director of Football’s – whether they think he would add value to Rangers’ squad.
Lingard is a top player who needs a prod in the right direction. Is that Rangers? Who knows.