Paul Merson told Sportskeeda that reported Aston Villa target, James Ward-Prowse, is the third most underrated player in the Premier League.
The former Villa man thinks Ward-Prowse is a ‘popular figure’ in England’s top-flight and probably the best dead-ball specialist in the world right now.
With Jack Grealish being fouled left, right and centre, it’s no surprise that Villa are looking to bring in Ward-Prowse’s talents.
The Southampton midfielder will feel like a kid at Christmas with the number of free-kick opportunities he could get if he joined Villa, as Merson lauded his talents.
“James Ward-Prowse is arguably the best set-piece taker in the world at the moment and has been one of Southampton’s best players this year,” said Merson.
“In my opinion, England were too safe in their midfield at the Euros and a player of Ward-Prowse’s profile could have completed their jigsaw.
“That being said, James Ward-Prowse is a popular figure in the Premier League and his talents are known to those involved in the league.
“The Southampton man deserves a few more chances with England, however, and will remain underrated until he’s given an opportunity to prove his mettle on the big stage.”
Villa would do very well to lure a player of Ward-Prowse’s qualities to B6 because his qualities are needed in Dean Smith’s progressing team.
The England international has great positional sense, can carry the ball from deep and is brilliant at turning over possession.
Then there is his quality from set-piece situations, and given Villa’s problems in that department, he’s worth purchasing for that alone.
The Midlands side don’t make enough use of the number of fouls Grealish wins and there’s no doubt that plenty of more goals would go in if Ward-Prowse is standing over the ball at Villa Park.
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