West Ham United ace James Ward-Prowse predicted to give Gareth Southgate ‘food for thought’
West Ham ace James Ward-Prowse can give Gareth Southgate “food for thought” with his abilities, according to Daily Mail journalist Tamara Prenn.
The England manager has opted not to select the Hammers midfielder for the upcoming clashes with Australia and Italy.
Ward-Prowse has two goals and six assists from his nine appearances in claret and blue since his summer move from Southampton.
“Gareth Southgate may have chosen to permanently overlook the former Southampton midfielder, but there is no doubt that West Ham have been cunning in their post-Declan Rice era with the salvaging of Ward-Prowse from the relegated club,” Prenn wrote for the Mail Online.
“The set-piece maestro has settled without complaint into life at the London Stadium, and has already registered six assists and two goals since his move north. But without the distraction of international duty, perhaps Ward-Prowse can hunker down and give his all to his new club.
“West Ham have had a punchy start to the table, in no small part impacted by his arrival. Should they continue to keep up with the top-half, the player’s abilities are likely to give Southgate food for thought.”
Stunning signing
Many West Ham fans feared the worst when Rice left for Premier League rivals Arsenal at the beginning of the summer transfer window.
Those fears grew and grew as the months went on, before David Moyes and Co. finally settled things with the signatures of Ward-Prowse and indeed fellow midfielder Edson Alvarez.
Two players were always needed to replace former captain Rice, such was his importance to the team, but there is now an argument to be made that the Hammers have become stronger since his exit to Arsenal.
Both Ward-Prowse and Alvarez have slotted in seamlessly at the London Stadium, with the former in particular catching the eye thanks to his stunning set-piece deliveries.
The ex-Saints man boasts plenty of big-game experience, and he is using that experience and his superb talent to produce many standout displays for the East London outfit.
It is, of course, only the beginning, with everyone associated with the club desperate for the top performances to keep on coming.
In other West Ham news, a talkSPORT journalist has made a “very unusual” claim after the latest Hammers contract news.