Former Chelsea and West Ham striker Carlton Cole have criticised Jesse Lingard for opting to join Nottingham Forest.

The England international chose the Premier League newcomers over West Ham United.

Lingard spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan at West Ham United and had what has been described by pundits as his time in football.

Many have questioned Forest’s move to make Lingard their highest-paid player, with around £200,000 weekly wages, while the former Man United star has been scrutinised for snubbing West Ham.

The Hammers were keen on bringing the 29-year-old back to the London Stadium but he instead chose Nottingham Forest and Cole believes he went there for the money.

“As a player, I know he’s gone to Forest for the dough…” the former England star told talkSPORT.

“That doesn’t inspire me! As a player, I’m not raising my game for him.”

Cole said he would not be impressed about Lingard’s move to Nottingham Forest if he was a player for the newly promoted side.

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