With a spate of injuries to his side, Roy Hodgson decided to call-up Jesse Lingard of Manchester United for tonight's game against France. Surprisingly some observers have criticised the decision, believing Lingard is yet to prove himself, and that if he was ever going to live up to Sir Alex Ferguson's billing he would have managed it before the ripe old age of 22. When you look at the player and surrounding evidence, it's clear Hodgson was wrong to select him as an emergency measure – he should have been in the squad already.Before beginning the case for Lingard, any points that sound like hypocrisy in light of a previous article should be explained. This writer has never been an advocate for rushing players to the senior side. There is always as an argument that if a player is good enough, he's old enough, but Wayne Rooney might not be looking so laboured now had he been allowed a few more years in the U21s.There's also a valid – and often justified – claim that playing for one of the traditional big sides enhances your chances of representing England. While this is often unfairly the case, it does come with good reason. It used to be international football that was a step-up from club level, nowadays if a player can establish themselves at a top club, going to play for England will feel like a step down.Jesse Lingard this season is already going a long way to staking a claim for a permanent place in the Manchester United side. Expensive signing Memphis Depay has become an afterthought and Old Trafford regulars have eyes on the youngster from Warrington. He has been a rare ray of light in a team that appears to lack spark and excitement.When you consider players like Danny Rose and Dele Alli have previously been accelerated to the senior England set-up, it's hard to fathom what criterion prevented Roy Hodgson from selecting Lingard earlier. He appears to tick all of the usual prerequisites, yet, he was left at home.Unlike many of today's youngsters, he has done his time and apprenticeship outside of the comfort zone of his parent club. Loans to Leicester, Birmingham, Brighton and Derby go some way to explaining his maturity. It also speaks volumes about not rushing players before they're 21 to appear in the senior side.

He may only have received 11 caps for the England U-21 side but he no longer qualifies and could be seen as a late bloomer. Even so, surely it is a natural progression to do a full internship there and await promotion.

However, the way he's been overlooked until now makes one wonder if Hodgson pays proper care and attention to his own national youth sides or if he's got a list of names acquired whilst watching Match of the Day.

Anyone quick to dismiss or undermine Lingard must gather their football information from highlights packages, too. Those that have been able to watch the youngster in live matches have been waxing lyrical over his performances and what he has to offer. The goal against West Brom was a nice reward to mark his recent contributions.

It's all too familiar to hear pundits in this country talk up the next big thing and place a great weight of expectation on the shoulders of an unprepared talent. Perhaps it'll be Jesse Lingard's saving grace that he has quietly gone about his business and earned his place at the table without the usual fanfare.

We're always looking for the future, but maybe it was here all along.

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