West Ham have one final hurdle to overcome this campaign to make sure of European football next season, with a point at home to Southampton enough to seal a Europa League spot. If the Hammers go on a European adventure next season the squad is sure to need bolstering to cope with the rigours of a domestic and continental campaign. One man David Moyes hopes will be part of the team is Jesse Lingard. The 28-year-old’s loan spell at the Hammers comes to a close at the end of the season but Moyes said his long-term future is still undecided.
David Moyes said: “I’m hopeful that in some way that Jesse chooses that he might want to come here. But we don’t know, that’s down to Manchester United at the end of the time. He has been really good for us and it’s been a positive signing and good news for us since he started in January when we brought him in.”
Moyes is not the only one at West Ham who wants to see Lingard become a permanent signing. Vice-captain Declan Rice is desperate for his club and international teammate to extend his stay at the London Stadium.
Declan Rice said: “I hope he does, I really hope he does. He has changed our squad completely. From the first session he was brave on the ball, he’s an out and out No10 – always on the half-turn and facing forward and that is the player we needed. The game he played against Villa when he scored two, we knew we had a real gem on our hands.”
The Saints have only won two of their previous eight matches and Moyes is not taking anything for granted but is confident his Hammers have got what it takes to finish the season on a high.
David Moyes said: “Southampton were a really good team and are a good team,” he said. Ralph Hasenhuttl has got a really good style of play, I think they’ve been a good team to watch, some very good players in the team so we need to improve [on the 0-0 draw in December]. But I think we have improved greatly since then so I’m hoping that we still have got enough energy in the tank come Sunday.”
