James Ward-Prowse is the king of free-kicks in the Premier League right now, as Callum Wilson has shared that Jacob Murphy is also ‘unbelievable’ in that department, as he told the Footballer’s Football Podcast.
Whilst the Newcastle striker was praising Ward-Prowse for stepping up again over the weekend, he shared that, in training, Murphy showcases that quality, but with his weaker foot.
Ever since Kieran Trippier has walked through the doors at St James’ Park, he has been the one to step up to that department, including scoring back-to-back free-kicks prior to his injury.
Someone like Murphy isn’t a regular in that department and he doesn’t have that reputation on the Premier League stage.
But, judging by Wilson’s comments, it begs the question as to why he isn’t because it seems as though his set-pieces do some serious talking in training.
“I think Jacob Murphy, also at Newcastle,” said Wilson. “I was training last season and he was taking free kicks with his left foot, which is his weak foot.
“And they were better than me with my right. I’m not going to lie. They were unbelievable.
“I said to him ‘why aren’t you taking free kicks? Obviously, you have got an unbelievable free kick’. But it ultimately comes down to mindset on the day. If you want it or not, you will pick up the ball – I think it’s about players taking that responsibility and having confidence in themselves.”
On Ward-Prowse: “I think (David Beckham) has roughly about 18. I think he (JWP) has scored eight since the start of last year. In terms of him breaking the record, he’s got time on his side, that’s for sure. Anywhere around the box, you almost feel like don’t give a free kick away because this guy can put in a ball on either side. He’s a technician outside the box.”
Ward-Prowse is slowly but surely edging closer to David Beckham’s all-time Premier League record.
During his days at Manchester United, Beckham scored 18 free-kicks in England’s top-flight, as JWP is now four behind the former England captain.
Given that the Southampton midfielder is only 27, he has years and years left in him to, not only break that record, but possibly demolish it.
At the rate Ward-Prowse is converting his free-kicks, or shall we call them penalties? He should probably go past Beckham’s 18 next season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
