Why Watford are doing the right thing by making a bid for James Ward-Prowse

According to reports from The Sun, Premier League club Watford have submitted a £10m bid for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse. Manager Javi Gracia has made a late move to bolster his squad further ahead of a gruelling season in the Premier League.

The Sun further states that the Watford boss will have to wait and see if Southampton manager Mark Hughes is willing to sanction the deal or not. Ward-Prowse came through the academy ranks at St.Mary’s Stadium and has been an integral part of the setup since.

The 23-year-old is an adept midfielder who has a devilish sense of set-piece delivery and striking. Watford and Gracia could really utilize a player like him in their squad.

Here’s why the Hornets have done the right thing by bidding for Ward-Prowse and testing Southampton’s resolve:

Ward-Prowse can be influential at Vicarage Road

The good thing about Ward-Prowse is his ability to play across various positions in the midfield. The 23-year-old can play as a No. 10, as one of the No. 8s in central midfield and on either wing. So, his versatility will help the manager deploy him according to the need of the team and, of course, the opposition.

His passing and creativity are some of his best traits on the ball. The Englishman has a pass completion rate of 78.8% and key pass average of 1.2. As mentioned above, his crossing from set-piece situations and direct free-kick striking is right up there with the best.

The only drawback to Ward-Prowse’s game is the lack of defensive contribution he provides without the ball. Maybe that is the reason why he hasn’t flourished as a complete midfield player despite having high-class attributes while in possession.

However, if he is used as a No. 10, he can influence games on the attacking front without worrying about tracking back. So, if Gracia does purchase him, he must use him in the right way to harness the results expected of the player.

Read More: Why Watford have completed a masterstroke with their latest contract deal for this 25-year-old

Verdict

Ward-Prowse has been a Southampton product through and through, so it will tough for the club to leave one of their own. But, if Hughes thinks the business is right, he must sell the player to a club where he will receive the required opportunities to shine. Furthermore, Watford will be able to rely on Ward-Prowse to deliver in crunch moments.

Stats Courtesy – Who Scored.com