James Ward-Prowse dealt poor hand at West Ham United – Neil Moxley
Journalist Neil Moxley has claimed West Ham star James Ward-Prowse can feel aggrieved that he wasn’t selected for Gareth Southgate’s most recent England squad.
The Sunday People reporter suggested the midfielder is proving his worth at the London Stadium and doing everything he can to deserve the call-up in an improving Hammers squad, but it still proves not to be enough.
Moxley states that while Kalvin Phillips isn’t playing for Manchester City, Conor Gallagher isn’t impressing at Chelsea and Jordan Henderson is in semi-retirement, Ward-Prowse has been dealt a poor hand.
Writing in the print edition of the Sunday People [8 October, pg 52], Moxley shared: “James Ward-Prowse can feel aggrieved he didn’t get a call into Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
“The midfielder is proving his worth week-in, week-out with an improving West Ham squad. Kalvin Phillips isn’t playing for Manchester City, Conor Gallagher is merely appearing for Chelsea and Jordan Henderson is in semi-retirement in Saudi Arabia.
“None are a better bet than Ward-Prowse – I think he’s been dealt a poor hand.”
JWP is doing all he can
There isn’t much more Ward-Prowse can do to impress his international boss. With eight combined goals and assists in eight appearances across the Premier League and Europa League so far this season, there isn’t a more in-form midfielder in the England squad.
Jarrod Bowen was included in the most recent squad as a result of his recent imperious form, at the expense of Raheem Sterling who has always been a favourite under Southgate, so the insistence on keeping Henderson and Phillips in the squad is a strange hill to die on.
Ultimately, the form Ward-Prowse has shown should be enough for him to get into the squad, and the fact that he hasn’t is a great shame. Whether Southgate thinks he doesn’t fit in his plans or simply isn’t as good as other options, he deserves to be given a chance.
In other West Ham news, some Hammers players are saddened by a recent midfielder update.