“(He is) perhaps the best set-piece taker in the championship and perhaps the best free-kick taker in the world. I think there is only one left-hander at Paris Saint-Germain who is perhaps better: Lionel Messi. So he is probably the best right-hander in the world in this area. These comments from Brentford coach Thomas Frank, dating from January 2022, do not concern Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar Jr, but James Ward-Prowse, at the time at Southampton. The English midfielder confirmed the Danish coach’s words by finding Jan Bednarek’s header from a corner in the 5th minute of play, during the Saints’ big victory against the Bees (4-1). This is not the first time that the 28-year-old player has been showered with praise by various players in the Premier League. For several seasons, he has managed to establish himself as one of the best right feet, regardless of set pieces.
Corners, free kicks, crosses: JWP became a major asset for Southampton, his training club before defending their colors on more than 400 occasions including eleven seasons in the elite of English football. Yes but now, after two decades spent in the south of England, the native of Portsmouth will not follow the Saints, relegated to the Championship after a bottom place occupied since the 16th day of last season. A new page is therefore being written for him at West Ham, who are spending no less than 30 million pounds sterling (or €34.8 million) to allow him to keep his silky paw in the championship across the Channel. A leg which has already scored 17 direct free kicks, the second highest scorer in the history of the PL, one unit behind a certain David Beckham (18) and ahead of big names in football like CR7 (13) or again Thierry Henry and Gianfranco Zola (12 each). He has not yet shone in this exercise in the Hammers jersey, but that will not be long.
A major offensive asset… forgotten by Southgate
Coming to compensate for the numerous departures from the middle among the residents of the London Stadium (Rice to Arsenal, Lanzini to River Plate, Downes to So’ton…), James Ward-Prowse arrives with the label of a confirmed Premier League player but not yet used to playing headliners in England. If they had not been reassuring last season with a 14th place (and a Europa Conference League), the Hammers had a good start to the season with a sixth place after five weekends, with victories to note against Brighton and Chelsea and a defeat suffered at home against Manchester City in a hard-fought match. And the English flagship recruit is not for nothing, with already two achievements and six offerings on the clock, the last two having confirmed the victory of the men in garnet, and sky blue at home, against the Serbs of Backa Topola , to get the European adventure off to a good start in the Europa League. An offensive contribution that West Ham coach David Moyes did not forget to compliment this week.
“James has integrated very well. We felt he had a good chance of settling in quickly due to his Premier League experience, but we always wanted to see if he could provide us with goals and assists. He’s a Mark Noble type player for us in a lot of ways, in terms of what he brings to the team.”, declared the Scottish technician at a press conference before the trip to Anfield Road to face Liverpool for the 6th day of the championship. The opportunity to shine with the Irons and confirm his emerging place in the selection, he who already has 11 selections on the clock with the Three Lions but who was absent from Gareth Southgate’s last gathering, enough to provoke the indignation of many observers of English football. The 53-year-old coach will be in the sights of the British press for his next list for the October break. For its part, JWP will still be able to shine its right foot against the Reds and stand out among the best creators in the League.
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