Harry Redknapp makes James Ward-Prowse admission after West Ham United win
Harry Redknapp has offered his verdict on James Ward-Prowse, suggesting his performance in West Ham United’s win over Nottingham Forest deserved international recognition.
The midfielder picked up two assists as the Hammers ended their four-match winless run in the Premier League with a 3-2 win, as the 29-year-old produced two moments of magic from deadball scenarios to assist Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek.
Ward-Prowse’s excellent display came only days after he was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the November international break and Redknapp believes that his display against Forest proved the Three Lions boss made a mistake.
Speaking on talkSPORT (13 November, 7:43) he said: “Very good performance, real end-to-end stuff there yesterday. It was an excellent game. Ward-Prowse, great set plays.
“I do think you’d have him involved with an England squad. He can always come off the bench and influence a game with a good set play. He’s handy to have around. He’s a good player, good pro.”
Should be there
It seems as though everybody other than Southgate is in agreement that Ward-Prowse should be a member of the England squad currently, with talkSPORT presenters taking it in turns to suggest the 29-year-old would be a better choice than Kalvin Phillips or Jordan Henderson.
Even if the West Ham star wasn’t playing particularly well, there is an argument that he remains deserving of an international place ahead of the other midfielders named in the side, given he is playing regularly in the Premier League.
But the fact that he is playing so well at the heart of David Moyes’ team surely makes him a shoo-in for the national side, So far this season he has registered seven goal involvements in the Premier League and picked up another four assists in the Europa League.
His ability when stood over a dead ball is second to none in the Premier League and would be a huge weapon to have in England’s arsenal as Redknapp suggests, he wouldn’t even have to start matches as he could have a huge impact from the bench.
For West Ham supporters, they can at least take solace in the thought that their star man can have a well-deserved rest over the international break. Hopefully, he can now dodge injury and return fit and firing when club football begins again.
In other West Ham news, one Sky Sports pundit has been left stunned by Alphonse Areola’s magnificent moment against Forest