James Ward-Prowse West Ham
(Credit: Imago)
Jonathan Burnett
Tue 11 March 2025 7:10, UK
James Ward-Prowse has been a regular fixture for West Ham United since returning from his loan at Nottingham Forest.
Graham Potter made the decision to recall Ward-Prowse from his half-season spell at the City Ground right at the end of the winter transfer window, arriving through the doors just before Evan Ferguson.
As a result, Ward-Prowse was the first ‘addition’ made to West Ham’s squad during Potter’s tenure so far, and compared to Brighton loanee Ferguson, he’s been much more consistent in terms of minutes.
Starting the Hammers’ last three games which have seen them beat Arsenal and Leicester City before Monday’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle United, Ward-Prowse is clearly a player at the forefront of Potter’s mind.
Graham Potter
Graham Potter was quick to bring Ward-Prowse back to West Ham (Credit: Imago)
Ward-Prowse saga leaves West Ham with questions to answer
Ward-Prowse featuring in West Ham’s first two games of the season in all competitions, and then being sent out on loan to Forest late in the summer window, left plenty of Irons fans scratching their heads.
Club Appearances Starts Goals Assists
At Nottingham Forest 10 5 0 1
At West Ham United 6 4 0 0
James Ward-Prowse has found game-time hard to come by this season
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
Alan Smith was also puzzled by then-Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui deeming the 30-year-old surplus to requirements, and speaking Sky Sports Premier League (10 March, 8:04pm), he gave his verdict.
Smith said: “Always seemed a strange one that, to allow him to leave the football club on loan, James Ward-Prowse.
“Such a reliable competitior, experienced – of course those set-piece deliveries are second-to-none.”
James Ward-Prowse
Ward-Prowse’s loan move came after he was a regular for West Ham last season
Ward-Prowse return provides welcome relief for West Ham
Having seen their loanee – capped 11 times by England – feature just 10 times for Forest in the first half of the season, including a mere five starts, it was no surprise to see West Ham recall Ward-Prowse.
The greatest surprise was that it took the Hammers so long to make the decision, given the extent to which their often dysfunctional midfield has come under the microscope so far this season.
The likes of Guido Rodriguez – signed at Lopetegui’s behest and preferred in the team over Ward-Prowse – and Edson Alvarez have been subject to heavy and justified criticism for their performances.
Last summer saw Rodriguez and PSG loanee Carlos Soler come through the London Stadium’s doors as West Ham’s only midfield edition – hardly enough for Ward-Prowse to have his Irons career put on hold.
That recruitment under Tim Steidten has long since been exposed and resulted in both Lopetegui and Steidten losing their jobs, and under Potter, Ward-Prowse has the chance of a fresh start in East London.
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