Tim Sherwood told Sky Sports News (21/08/21 at 1:10 pm) that he was ‘surprised’ James Ward-Prowse signed a new contract despite interest from Aston Villa.
The 26-year-old penned down his long-term future at Southampton last week, after those in the Villa Park boardroom had a £25 million bid rejected for his talents.
Ward-Prowse is a set-piece specialist and one of the most underrated players in the league.
He has strong technical talent, ability to play in a two-man midfield and turnover possession with aggression being some of his standout qualities.
Despite concerns that Southampton, who lost Danny Ings to Villa this summer, might struggle this season, they did enough to lure their star midfielder to pen down a new deal and Sherwood admits that he didn’t expect it.
“I think they will struggle this year,” said Sherwood. “That’s why I am surprised that James Ward-Prowse has signed a new contract.
“I don’t think Ward-Prowse would have signed a new contract unless he had assurances from the football club that they are going to bring in some recruits.
“Let’s hope for Southampton fans sake and Ward-Prowse, who is an excellent young footballer with an England career ahead of him, can stay in the division. And look upwards.”
Villa have brought in a set-piece specialist this summer in Austin MacPhee and his coaching methods have already been on show at Villa Park.
Right-back Matty Cash has turned into a long-throw specialist and it was that darting throw and Tyrone Mings knockdown that resulted in Danny Ings scoring a stunning overhead kick on his home debut at the weekend.
Therefore, it was understandable why Villa wanted Ward-Prowse on their books because he would have been lethal with MacPhee at the helm.
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