The 22-year-old has consistently been excellent for Southampton since making his league debut in the 2012/13 season.
Inter Milan’s Assane Demoya Gnoukouri in action with Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse
Normally when you see a fresh name in the England side, you tend to think of it as a shock inclusion of sorts – however, when Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse was included in Gareth Southgate’s side, the feeling was more, ‘it’s about time’.
The 22-year-old has thrived both in the Premier League with Southampton and for England through the various youth groups, but incredibly, this is his first call up to the senior squad, with the Three Lions set to face Germany in a friendly and then Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier.
A metronome in midfield, Ward-Prowse has long been known as someone who would probably be better appreciated if he were foreign, and could well be Michael Carrick’s long-term successor in the England squad.
Ward-Prowse rarely gives the ball away and possesses tremendous vision, as well as an excellent passing range with a devastating free kick, and had he played for a bigger team such as Manchester United, there’s no doubt he’d have had his first England call up a lot sooner.
A half empty London Stadium look on as Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse scores their third goal
However, it’s proved to be a case of better late than never, and with Ward-Prowse still only 22, there’s no doubt he could become an England mainstay for the next 10 years or more.
While normally it’s a case of England players being picked on reputation, it’s nice to see a player finally picked on consistently good form over the years – and Ward-Prowse fully deserves this opportunity.
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