Fulham v Southampton - Premier League - Craven Cottage Southampton s James Ward-Prowse during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxWaltonx 57285873
According to Liverpool Echo, pundit Glenn Hoddle has urged Everton to sign James Ward-Prowse. Hoddle was of the opinion that Ward-Prowse has a good all-round game but his set-piece ability is what stands out. He also said that the Southampton midfielder could walk straight into the Everton side.
Born in Portsmouth, James Ward-Prowse joined Southampton’s youth system as an 8-year-old kid back in 2003 and gradually rose through the ranks before making his first-team debut during the 2011-12 season.
The 26-year-old eventually established himself as a regular fixture for the Saints following their promotion to the Premier League. He has gone from strength to strength over the past eight seasons. Ward-Prowse has accumulated a staggering 295 appearances for the Saints across all competitions, registering 28 goals and 36 assists in the process.
The central midfielder captained England U-21s to a triumphant campaign at the 2016 Toulon Tournament before making his senior debut for the Three Lions in 2017. Ward-Prowse earned a recall to the national team in 2019 and made his first competitive appearance in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro.
When Everton went all out last summer to secure the signings of Allan, James Rodriguez and Abdoulaye Doucoure, it was seen as a major step forward. As expected, these players have become important cogs in Carlo Ancelotti’s machinery.
However, Everton’s other midfield options leave a lot to be desired in terms of quality. The likes of Andre Gomes, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Tom Davies hardly come close to the ability boasted by the new recruits. Adding another midfielder like James Ward-Prowse could really put their midfield together.
Ward-Prowse is beginning to blossom into a top-quality central midfielder in the PL and still has his best years ahead of him. The 26-year-old took over the reins of Southampton’s captaincy towards the end of the previous campaign and that shows his leadership qualities.
A top-notch central midfielder, Ward-Prowse is an all-action player in the middle of the park. He threads those through balls, wins those tackles and even fires those shots at goal.
However, as Hoddle pointed out, it is his impeccable ability from set-pieces which could make him an asset for Everton. There is no doubting Ward-Prowse’s abilities and that he would make a fine addition to Carlo Ancelotti’s new-look Everton side.