Paul Merson says one West Ham player has received ‘the greatest compliment ever’

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West Ham United on-loan star Jesse Lingard has received “the greatest compliment ever” in being recalled straight back into the England squad, according to Paul Merson.

The Hammers signed the Manchester United ace on loan in the January transfer window and he’s taken no time in becoming a claret and blue fan favourite.

In just seven appearances for West Ham, all in the Premier League, Lingard has scored five goals and registered three assists.

Lingard’s efforts have been rewarded with a spot in the England team for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers later this month.

The 28-year-old is back in the Three Lions fold for the first time in nearly two years, and Merson believes this shows how good he is and how much Gareth Southgate trusts him.

“I’m a big fan of his, he’s a clever footballer,” Merson wrote on Sky Sports.

“It shows how highly thought of he is in that he’s played six or seven weeks of football and he’s back in the England squad – it tells you he’s a good footballer.

“If Lingard does well [with England], it opens up the question of if Jack Grealish gets in. I’m Jack’s biggest fan, but I’m not sure Gareth [Southgate] is.

“It will be interesting to see how Jesse Lingard does and if he’s given an opportunity.

“If he’s not given one, then I don’t see a problem with Jack walking straight back into the squad but if Lingard is given an opportunity and does well, I don’t know how Jack gets in the squad then.

“It’s the biggest compliment ever, he’s played hardly any football but came in at West Ham, done great and has gone straight back into the England squad so that tells me Gareth likes him and trusts him.”

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Lingard has been sensational since arriving at West Ham and is proving a key player in the club’s pursuit of Champions League football.

Hammers fans and Red Devils supporters alike will now be eager to see how Lingard fares for his country over the next few days, and surely he’ll do just as well as he has done in claret and blue.