West Ham United: Danny Murphy left gobsmacked live on talkSPORT over latest James Ward-Prowse development
Danny Murphy believes it is “bizarre” that Gareth Southgate continues to pick Kalvin Phillips over West Ham United midfielder James Ward-Prowse in his England team.
The MOTD pundit, speaking live on air on talkSPORT (13 November), was left baffled by Southgate’s continuous decisions to pick Phillips who barely plays at Manchester City over Ward-Prowse who plays the exact same position.
The 29-year-old has missed out on all three of the Three Lions’ squads this season, despite impressing for the Hammers, with seven Premier League goal involvements and a further four assists already in the Europa League.
And Murphy, speaking on talkSPORT believes that Ward-Prowse can fulfil various roles in the England setup that Phillips cannot do and the fact that he’s playing every week for West Ham.
He said: “The Ward-Prowse thing is bizarre.
“I mean I’ve heard Southgate talk about this pivot, this position Phillips and Jordan Henderson can play in, he doesn’t put Ward-Prowse in the role of being able in the role next to Declan Rice for some reason, even though that’s the role he’s playing for West Ham.
“He can play further upfield, he can play as a 10, or a number eight and he can score a goal but he can do his defensive work, he can sit in the middle of the park, he plays every week, he does really well for West Ham United, even in the big games against the best teams he stands out, he’s disciplined.
“Doesn’t matter whether you think he’s better or worse than Phillips. Phillips doesn’t play so how can you pick him ahead of him?
“Gareth will tell me, if he wasn’t sat here now, they play different positions, he does different things, no! They can play the same position 100 million per cent.”
Baffling
Ward-Prowse may not be getting the rub of the green when it comes to his England call-ups in recent months but there’s no doubt that the former Southampton man is making waves at West Ham United and proving that Moyes’ decision to buy over the summer was pure gold.
Two goals and five assists in 11 Premier League stars so far, and nine assists in all competitions [Transfermarkt] meaning he is well on his way to having his most productive campaign to date if this form continues.
Certainly, it is baffling Phillips gets called up when he’s not even playing for Manchester City right now and Ward-Prowse is excelling at the London Stadium. However, England are producing even Phillips plays so Southgate can take pride in his strange decisions.
It’s when England are losing games, then we all have the right to scold Gareth for making such a call.
All Ward-Prowse can do is work hard and ensure he is performing at his maximum at club level so when the opportunity does arise, he takes it with open arms.
At West Ham United though, David Moyes will be delighted that the former Southampton gets much-needed rest in between international breaks.
In other West Ham news, a talkSPORT pundit provided a new Moyes sack verdict.