Loyalty is not the norm in football today, James Ward-Prowse is an exception

He is one of the best midfielders in England, although he has been playing for Southampton for ten years. James Ward-Prowse is a big favourite with Premier League fans because of his loyalty to one club. But after a decade in the red and white, wouldn’t he want a new challenge?

When an offspring who has grown up in the team from a young age comes in for the club, it’s usually an even better feeling for the fans than when a reinforcement makes his debut. Yet when James Ward-Prowse first donned the red and white jersey at the age of seventeen, few probably expected him to become such a key player for Southampton for years to come.

Ten seasons have passed since his debut against Manchester City and the blonde midfielder is still playing for the Saints. In the role of captain and leader, without which the fans cannot imagine the team, after all, he has already played 289 games in the Premier League. And the record? 36 goals and 34 assists from the number eight position.

Big clubs have been circling around Ward-Prowse since his first year, but the club and the player have rejected all offers. Prowsey, as he is called, is at home at Southampton, and has resisted offers from Manchester City and Liverpool.

Ward-Prowse can be ranked among the very best midfielders in the competition since last season. In it he notched eight goals and eight assists and had a hand in 34 per cent of the team’s goals. Mainly thanks to him, Southampton were assured of salvation several rounds in advance.

So far this season, he has played in twenty league games in which he has scored six times and assisted twice. In the autumn, he also played for the England national team, even scoring against Andorra.

Before the start of the season, experts predicted Southampton a fierce fight for salvation, mainly due to the departure of goal scorer Danny Ings. But Ward-Prowse has taken all the responsibility and keeps Saints seven points above the relegation zone.

The representative midfielder has been key for Southampton, especially in standard situations. Not just at corners, especially when taking direct kicks. In January, he scored his 12th goal from a direct kick in the Premier League, making him the second best enforcer of the competition of all time. He trails reigning champion David Beckham by six shots.

Furthermore, Ward-Prowse, as an eight, excels in short and long range passing, directing play and shooting from distance. Towards the back he has reserves, but he won’t get lost next to a classic defensive midfielder.

The blonde midfielder is at an ideal footballing age. He is twenty-seven years old, so he may have three, maybe four last transfer windows to make a big move. According to the Transfermarkt website, his current value is €32 million.

That’s a very low price considering his extensive experience of the Isles’ environment, especially considering Newcastle brought in Bruno Guimaraes for 42 million in January. And the Brazilian midfielder has only featured in Ligue 1 so far.

Which top English teams would really need Ward-Prowse? Certainly Arsenal, who rely on the moody Thomas Partey and the unreliable Granit Xhaka. Tottenham also have a problem in midfield.

Prowsey would undoubtedly make a name for himself at any Premier League club, but Manchester City, United, Liverpool and Chelsea have a packed midfield. And would a commitment to Arsenal or Tottenham be tempting enough for heartthrob James to leave his beloved Southampton?

Source: Transfermarkt