Ex-star hits back at Simon Jordan for claims Jesse Lingard has ‘flushed’ his career

Simon Jordan has been dismissed as a ‘bitter ex-owner’ after he claimed Jesse Lingard had ‘flushed’ three years of his career down the toilet.

Gabby Agbonlahor was not impressed with his talkSPORT colleague’s comments about the former Manchester United star, who is still searching for his next club.

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Lingard is at a crossroads in his career and it’s been over a month since he left United following the expiry of his contract, ending his 11 year career at Old Trafford, and there is no news on his next destination yet.

A return to West Ham, where he starred on loan in the second half of the 2020/21 season, has been mooted but it has been suggested since January that his wage demands are putting off interested clubs.

In the meantime, the 29-year-old has been enjoying some time off this summer with breaks in New York and Paris, while he has also been busy on social media with his TikTok account particularly active.

And outspoken pundit Jordan caused a stir on Wednesday’s show by claiming Lingard has wasted his talent and will be more remembered for his dancing videos and celebrations, not his football, when he hangs up his boots.

“Jesse Lingard has taken three years of his career and flushed it, because he does not accept that he is not really regarded highly enough at Man United to get in their team,” said the White and Jordan host.

“He had an opportunity to go to West Ham but has made it about finances. He ran down his contract at Manchester United so he can leave on a free contract, because he knows that will enable his wage packet to be at a certain level – that’s his choice.

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“Jesse Lingard will be remembered, for me, for TikTok videos.”

Lingard lifted the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during his 11 years as a Manchester United player, and the academy graduate leaves his boyhood club with a record of 35 goals and 21 assists in 231 games.

He also has 32 caps for England, scoring six goals, and is remembered for his brilliant performances at the 2018 World Cup.

And Agbonlahor hit back at the former Crystal Palace owner for his claims Lingard is wasting his career on social media.

“That annoyed me when I heard that,” the Aston Villa hero told talkSPORT Breakfast.

“I feel Simon can be quite bitter, he reminds me of a bitter owner who you try to negotiate a contract with and they’re like, ‘get out, you’re not having that’, but you’ve got to go with the times.

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“For me, Lingard has had an amazing career. He’s played for his country, he’s played at the club he’s loved for 11 years since he was a kid, he did amazing on his loan at West Ham, he was probably their best player when he joined them.

“Yes, at the moment he needs to lower his wage demands. What he’s asking for, clubs won’t pay, because he’s had a season without playing much football. So yes he needs better advice on that. 

“But to say he’s only going to be remembered for his TikToks sounds a bit bitter to me.

“I’d rather Jesse Lingard do TikTok videos than coming out of the pub like the players did in the 1980s and 90s, drunk. If this is how he wants to spend his spare time, going on his TikTok and having a bit of fun with his friends, good for him.

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“I think you might look at his social media and think that’s what he’s doing all day, but he’s probably only doing it for an hour after training, and he might be training in the morning, afternoon, working hard all the time.

“I feel sometimes Simon can be a bit bitter about what sort of money these players are earning. Maybe they’re richer than him, and he can’t handle that.”

Linked with moves to West Ham and Everton in the Premier League, latest reports have suggested a Major League Soccer switch is now on the cards for Lingard.

But both Agbonlahor and Rangers legend Ally McCoist have insisted the star must prioritise football over money in his search for a new club, as he still has plenty to offer at the top level.

“It’s not about money right now for Lingard, it’s about getting back playing and enjoying your football,” said McCoist. “I would hate him to sit and look back in ten or 15 years and say, ‘I wish I had done that’.”

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Agbonlahor continued: “I think it’s a big problem for these clubs linked with him, West Ham and Everton. West Ham will be thinking, ‘Michail Antonio has been great for us, we can’t give you more than him. Jarrod Bowen has done amazing, we can’t give you more than him’.

“If you start giving Lingard £150,000 or £180,000-a-week, everyone is going to be standing outside the owner’s office – Soucek, Cresswell, these players have been there and done it for West Ham.

“So he’s not going to get the money he’s asking for. As much as David Moyes or Frank Lampard might want him, you can price yourself out of a move, and you can’t give those wages to a player who barely played last season. 

“I can’t see him getting that money in the MLS either, because even in the MLS they’ve started changing their wage structure – you can’t just go there and expect to get crazy money unless you’re an A-list name. 

“Unless you’re Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Gareth Bale, you’re not going to get it.

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“So Lingard is in a tricky scenario where he needs to lower those wage demands and go to West Ham and show what he can do.”

“I think it would be the wrong move for Lingard right now to go to the MLS,” said McCoist. “He still has far too much to offer at a better level of football.”

“Also,” added Agbonlahor. “If he goes to the MLS it will be a lot harder to get into the England squad. 

“You look at the talent playing in the Premier League, players like James Maddison, who can’t get in at the moment, to go to the MLS I feel like Lingard would be closing the door on that England chapter.”