Ross Jones

Fri 10 July 2020 12:30, UK

West Brom are going to be linked with a whole mob of potential targets if they get promoted this summer. 

In some respects, that’s just part and parcel of being a team in our position, but one name that has already caught a lot of people off guard is that of Jesse Lingard.

According to The Independent, the Manchester United man has emerged as a shock target for the Baggies – but we’re not too sure it would be a wise move.

The 27-year-old has really struggled for United this season, and has just nine Premier League starts to his name, with 20 appearances overall.

In that time he hasn’t recorded a single goal or assist, and he has completed 9.4% fewer dribbles than Matheus Pereira, as well having fewer successful actions overall per 90 minutes, as per Wyscout.

A closer look at what that means in a match situation does little to flatter Lingard either.

His shot map, for instance, is abysmal.

The playmaker has had just four shots on target all season in the Premier League, and has an xG of just 0.13.

This is a player who United valued at £30 million as recently as April, according to the Metro.

Take the example above.

Granted, it’s very early in the match, but Lingard somehow manages to miss the target completely from about eight yards out.

That’s not the mark of a £30 million player.

It’s not just his finishing either.

In his last full outing – the Manchester derby back in December – Lingard played just 19 successful passes.

Just as worrying as the paltry tally, however, is the fact that so few of those passes were played forward.

If we are to go up this summer, and if we do spend big on a marquee signing, then we need players who will notably and consistently improve our side.

We’re not convinced Lingard can do that.

In other West Brom news, Albion could be invited to play for silverware at Wembley next month.

Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.