Ian Wright has told Wrighty’s House podcast that he feels that Aston Villa target James Ward-Prowse should have gone to the European Championships with England.
Ward-Prowse was so close to making the cut for Gareth Southgate’s squad, but narrowly missed out – with Ben White making the grade instead.
While Ward-Prowse was impressing with England, the Guardian reported that Villa are trying to sign him from Southampton this summer.
And the midfielder’s nasty streak means that Wright is certainly a fan of him.
“That’s why I thought James Ward-Prowse [should have gone],” he said. “I’m telling you, we haven’t got that player.
“Even when you look at our defence, there’s nobody who has a gnarliness about them. Ward-Prowse had it.
“He has that gnarly vibe about him where he will upset somebody through the way he is. Like how you see with Wilfried Zaha every single time they play.”
Do Villa need that nastiness?
Those comments show what Ward-Prowse could offer Villa if he does sign for Dean Smith’s side this summer.
While it is often Ward-Prowse’s quality from dead ball scenarios and on the ball that is noted, he is also a battling presence.
Villa’s own need for ‘gnarly’ players is, perhaps, not as strong as England’s – as John McGinn would certainly fit into that category.
But the 26-year-old could still be a very appealing to Smith’s side, given his all round package, if they are able to convince Southampton to part company with their long-serving star.
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