2016/2017 Southampton season review: James Ward-Prowse
James Ward-Prowse has shown progress this season since breaking into the side at the age of 16 making his debut in the League Cup against Crystal Palace.
He has managed his highest total of appearances in the Saints starting line-up, meanwhile, Ward-Prowse was rewarded for his efforts in March called upon by Gareth Southgate to attend full England training.
Progression in numbers
There is a noticeable improvement in his work rate, which bodes well with Saints supporters.
Still only 22 years old, he gained experience playing European football for the first time producing one man of the match performance and one goal in six matches.
The versatile midfielder played in 30 of Southampton’s 38 premier league fixtures and featured on the score-
sheet on four occasions, which suggests he has an important role in the side. He also propped up with four assists, but according to Premier League data, he missed five big chances to score, an asset he will feel he needs to improve on.
However, Ward-Prowse has formed an excellent relationship with his teammates on the pitch, which has helped Saint’s record another successful season. James Ward-Prowse is a predominant passer of the ball, with 966 in the Premier League this season, on average 32 per game. More impressively, his passes completed percentage is up there with the best at 83%, 90% in European competition.
The manager put some trust in his player this season, with James Ward-Prowse starting more than the last time round, but has only started four of the last 13 games for Saints in the Premier League.
He is still growing as a player but we have definitely started to see his style of play mature. At the age of 22, he has a huge future ahead of him, and although he is unlikely to be at the same level as Romelu Lukaku, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo at their age, he appears to want to stay and play for the club, having progressed through the youth ranks and not born far away from Southampton itself.
My Verdict
He is taking more responsibility now he has established himself as a key player, however, there is still an element of uncertainty in his game that puts doubt in our mind whether he will be as crucial next season after the summer or even January transfer window finishes. Nevertheless, James Ward-Prowse is as skillful and useful as the next in terms of raw ability.
He will need to learn from his performances and the opposition’s if he is to obtain a firmer grasp of playing in the Premier League, but there’s plenty of time still.