Sol Campbell has praised James Ward-Prowse for signing a new Southampton contract despite a rumoured bid from Aston Villa.
The former Premier League defender told Sky Sports Premier League (22/08/21 at 1:50 pm) that Ward-Prowse is a ‘big, big player’ and the Saints keeping him on board for the new season is ‘anchoring’ the club.
There was strong interest from Villa for Ward-Prowe’s services this summer, including a rumoured bid of £25 million being rejected for his midfield talents.
But Southampton, who already sold Danny Ings to Villa this summer, stayed firm and penned down their boyhood fan to a new contract.
And Campbell lauded Ward-Prowse’s talents and how it’s important the 26-year-old’s future was sealed after that interest.
“Wonderful really,” said Campbell. “Big, big player. He is a massive player for Southampton.
“Keeping him is almost anchoring the club. You need those players, those special players.
“He nearly got into the England side as well. He is a top, top player. Great free-kick taker. And Southampton fans are delighted that he is definitely staying.”
The perfect scenario for Dean Smith this summer would have been to keep Jack Grealish on board, sign Ward-Prowse and combine that with the coaching talents of their new set-piece coach, Austin MacPhee.
Given the number of fouls Grealish used to win, it would have been dreamland for someone like Ward-Prowse to work his magic from dead-ball situations.
But both won’t be playing for the club, although MacPhee is already showing why he was brought to the Midlands by Dean Smith.
Matty Cash is now Villa’s long-thrower it seems and it was his darting throw on Saturday that was flicked on by Tyrone Mings and then spectacularly bicycled home by Danny Ings.
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