Posted: 16:29, August 4, 2022 | Updated: 16:35, 4 August 2022
Pundit duo Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have slammed Jesse Lingard’s decision to move to Nottingham Forest – and suggest his reputation has taken a “hit”. The former Manchester United midfielder completed his move to the new Premier League side last month after snubbing West Ham, who were also interested in his services. Since then Lingard has come under fire and the pundit duo have not held back on their suggestions that he moved to Forest “for the money”. Jamie Carragher (L) and Gary Neville criticized Jesse Lingard’s recent move at their event Lingard signed a lucrative £120,000-a-week deal with Nottingham Forest this summer Speaking on the second part of ‘Overlap Live Fan Debate’, Carragher said: ‘He [Jesse Lingard] he went there [Nottingham Forest] for the money. I love Nottingham Forest, they are back [in the Premier League]. “If a footballer chooses Nottingham Forest at the moment, before West Ham and what they’ve done in the last two or three years, they’ve obviously gone there for a few euros. And, the fact that he is only signed for one year means that next year he is a free agent or Bosman [ruling]. “There’s a good chance Forest will go down, but it puts Jesse Lingard in a good position if he gets eight to 10 goals for them. But if West Ham want you now, I can’t believe he never went to West Ham. It’s great for Nottingham Forest.” The England international, who left Manchester United at the end of his contract, turned his back on West Ham to sign for Forest despite excelling on loan at the Hammers last season. He has penned a basic salary of £80,000-a-week with the balance to be covered in potential bonuses. Lingard in action during Forest’s 1-1 pre-season draw with Valencia at Meadow Lane Meanwhile, Neville claimed: “It felt really transactional [Lingard signing for Nottingham Forest]. “Football fans, when the time comes, later in the year, if Jesse starts to be linked four or five months into where he’s going next year – it’s not going to end well. “Fans don’t like that kind of transactional stuff. They are happy to play the game. They [Nottingham Forest] could shape it differently. Two years [on a contract] and if we go down, a little clause in the contract that says you can walk free.” “Jesse could have been smart. By reputation, he took a hit. He could have signed a two-year contract where he will leave at the end of the season – if he goes down – for free.” Lingard’s decision to snub West Ham for Forest means he could receive a cold reception from the away fans when he makes his home debut on August 14. Lingard has opted out of a return to West Ham – where he shone on loan in 2020-21 Neville continued, “Nobody needs to know that clause and it’s just clever. Why expose yourself to the fact that it looks cold, ruthless and money hungry? And he rejected West Ham. This won’t go down well with the media or the fans publicly if after six months he starts talking [moving elsewhere]. “Nobody ever questions his work ethic, he always overachieves. There was pressure on him a few years ago to leave, people thought it had to be Ronaldo or something – and he’s obviously not that type of player. “I just think in terms of how you portray yourself and how you’re seen in football – you can make some moves that mean you’re portrayed in a way that won’t help you in your future life after football. This was one of those things where he could look back and think “I wish I hadn’t done that”. The midfielder could face a hostile reception from West Ham fans later this month Forest have approached Lingard on a lucrative £120,000-a-week deal to help strengthen their squad ahead of their first Premier League campaign since 1999. The Hammers were also in the transfer race to sign Lingard permanently following his successful 2020-21 loan spell. However, they were reluctant to make their own offer, which was lower than Forest’s. As a result, Forest have won the transfer race for the 29-year-old – who is just one of Steve Cooper’s 12 new signings preparing for a return to the top flight.
