West Ham United fans will be "really pleased" that James Ward-Prowse is returning from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest, Jeff Stelling has said.
Speaking on talkSPORT (3 February, 6:53am), Stelling said he'd been "shocked" when the Irons first sanctioned Ward-Prowse's loan move to the City Ground late in the 2024 summer transfer window.
After making just nine Premier League appearances for Forest though, Ward-Prowse is on his way back to East London after the two clubs agreed to terminate his season-long loan early [David Ornstein, 2 February].
Stelling said: “I’m really pleased for West Ham fans about James Ward-Prowse – I was shocked when they allowed him to go out to Nottingham Forest.
"I know he hasn’t played too much there, but that’s because Forest are doing so well.”
The decision to send Ward-Prowse out on loan last summer – and to a side expected to challenge the Irons in the Premier League this term – proved to be one of many mistakes on Julen Lopetegui's part.
Forest instead took everyone by surprise by establishing themselves as potential title challengers despite Ward-Prowse not getting many minutes, with the Hammers mired in mid-table mediocrity themselves.
Lopetegui's style of play exposed a midfield ill-equipped for the pace and quality of the Premier League, while also being increasingly reliant on set-pieces as a source of goals for his misfiring side.
Therefore, willingly getting rid of a player far more mobile than the likes of Guido Rodriguez or Edson Alvarez, and who can put the ball on a sixpence from corners and free-kicks, looks a baffling decision.
Graham Potter has also been reliant on Tomas Soucek and others from set-pieces since replacing Lopetegui at the London Stadium, making Ward-Prowse's recall understandable for the new Irons boss.
In other West Ham news, a rival Premier League club’s owner has made it his “personal mission” to beat the Irons to a new signing.
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