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West Ham United: Journalist shares 'new side' to James Ward-Prowse he saw against Manchester City
West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse showed a “new side” to his game with his goal against Manchester City at the weekend, according to journalist Lewis Browning.
The summer signing continued his fine start to life at the London Stadium by swooping in to head Vladimir Coufal’s cross past Ederson as West Ham took the lead.
City went on to win the match 3-1, but Ward-Prowse only strengthened his case for being one of the best signings of the window among Premier League clubs.
Ranking the England international as the second-best player in the Premier League on current form, behind only City striker Erling Haaland, Browning said in an article for the Daily Mail [19 September]: “Many wondered how West Ham would spend the [Declan] Rice money when the England midfielder departed in the summer, and there is little doubt it has been dished out well.
“Seemingly the most successful signing of the lot, Ward-Prowse continues his stellar start to like with the Hammers as he scored his side’s goal against Manchester City to give them a shock lead.
“Obviously a huge threat from a dead ball, observers saw a new side to the 28-year-old in the capital over the weekend when he popped up in the box to head in Vladimir Coufal’s cross just after the half-hour mark.
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“A fan favourite already among Hammers fans. And who can blame them?”
Proving the doubters wrong
Ward-Prowse now has two goals and three assists in four Premier League appearances for West Ham since joining from Southampton in a £30million deal.
Whether it is from a set-piece or open play, the 28-year-old has showed in his first month or so in East London – and the past decade while at Southampton – that he can make a difference from pretty much anywhere on the field.
Hindsight is a fine thing, of course, but it makes a mockery of those who questioned why United were ‘wasting’ a chunk of their Rice windfall on a Championship player.
Full credit to Ward-Prowse for proving those who labelled him merely a set-piece piece merchant wrong with his superb run of form to begin the campaign.
West Ham may not have held on against Man City, but you can rest assured they will win far more games than they lose this season with Ward-Prowse in the side.
In other West Ham news, two players have reportedly been informed they will not be offered new contracts.