West Ham United: Danny Murphy and Simon Jordan clash live on air over James Ward-Prowse
Danny Murphy and Simon Jordan have clashed live on air over James Ward-Prowse’s role with England after the West Ham star was left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad.
The Hammers midfielder who has been in excellent form since making the switch from Southampton at the start of the season was left out of Southgate’s squad for the October international break, with Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson preferred.
Part of the decision to play the Manchester City man instead of Ward-Prowse has been because of the former Leeds United man’s more defensive profile, but Murphy believes that the West Ham man is more than capable of playing in a deeper role.
Speaking on talkSport on Wednesday (18 October, 10:14) he said: “Phillips at the moment is not playing better than James Ward-Prowse and he’s not playing better than Rico Lewis. Gareth thinks that Phillips gives them more defensive stability and tactical nous in that position than Ward-Prowse or Lewis would.
“In my opinion, he’s wrong because I’ve seen Ward-Prowse play that position many times and he’s as disciplined as they come in terms of tracking runners and spotting danger, he can do all of it. But he gives you better set-plays a chance of a goal and creativity.”
“For years Ward-Prowse has played all over different positions. He’s never been seen wanting for defensive capabilities. “
Simon Jordan was quick to disagree saying: “In a Southampton side that was conceding goals for fun and was floundering. He’s only been an international player for one season, 18 months, two years he’s been on the international scene.
“But if you make this argument about Ward-Prowse’s ability to do something and you put him in a team that hasn’t been able to do it and put him in a team that has ultimately been relegated because of its defensive failing and a very short period of time at West Ham, it doesn’t seem to have a body of work to stand that up, whereas Kalvin Phillips does at international level.”
Genuine eight
Ward-Prowse’s issue in terms of getting valuable minutes for England is the fact that he is a genuine number eight rather than a 10 or a six and that has been evident in his performances for West Ham so far this season, where he has been excellent.
Edson Alvarez is trusted to be the genuine holding midfielder while Lucas Paqueta has the freedom to venture forward and Ward-Prowse therefore gets the best of both worlds as he can contribute both going forward and in defence.
That role doesn’t exist in the England side where Southgate is looking to play with two holding midfielders and a number 10 so it leaves the Hammers midfielder without a natural role to slot into, hence why he hasn’t been called up.
While it is a shame for a player with so much quality to miss out repeatedly on a place that he deserves, it could be a blessing for David Moyes’ side as it means he will be fresh for what is an incredibly congested run of fixtures in the coming months.
In other West Ham news, Jordan has been left baffled by Moyes’ current contract situation at the London Stadium