Ian Wright lauded reported Aston Villa target, James Ward-Prowse, on ITV Sport on Sunday.
The 26-year-old started for England, who beat Romania 1-0 in an international friendly, with Wright describing him as a ‘tigress’ midfielder.
After pushing for Emi Buendia, the Guardian have now reported over the weekend that Villa are now focusing their attention on Southampton’s expert set-piece taker.
And Wright liked what he saw from the seemingly wanted Villa man yesterday, as he started in the middle of the park for his country.
“James Ward-Prowse is that midfielder he’s tigress,” said Wright. “He’s getting in and around it.
“There are not many England players, who I have seen in an England shirt, who are getting in and winning balls as he does. He’s around people. He’s got 100% possession in terms of passing. And he’s one of those that chases it down.
“And then his delivery is fantastic.”
What Villa fans would have liked most is the number of set-piece situations Ward-Prowse was mopping up as Jack Grealish was being smashed left, right and centre by the Romanian players.
Given Ward-Prowse’s dead-ball abilities, added with Grealish being the most fouled player in the Premier League during the past two seasons, it does make it a pretty special combination.
Many England fans felt that combination should be on show at this summer’s European Championships, but Gareth Southgate opted to leave the Saints academy product out of his 26-man squad.
This despite Jordan Henderson only playing his first 45 minutes in several months yesterday and clearly showing signs that he’s not fit to start a game for his country.
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