James Ward-Prowse- Future Star
Southampton Football Club, famous for running a highly successful youth academy, have produced some fantastic players in the last decade. Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gareth Bale, all sold for a hefty sum of money, have gone on to play at the highest levels for both club and country.
At the beginning of the 2012/2013 season, with Southampton returning to the Premier League for the first time in seven years, Nigel Adkins promoted a young lad who goes by the name of James Ward-Prowse.
”Prowsey”, the young lad from, sorry excuse my language, Portsmouth, joined the Saints Academy at the age of 8 .After shining for the Southampton youth and reserve sides, James Ward-Prowse was called up to the first team squad to face Crystal Palace in the league cup, a game where a few bigger names were rested. James impressed in a 2-0 defeat, showing touches of class throughout the game. This led to him playing again for the first team in an FA Cup game against Coventry City, where he would go on to score the equaliser for the Saints in a 2-1 victory and at the end of this 2001/2012 season, he would go on to be promoted to the first team permanently ahead of the clubs return to the Premier League. He made his league debut against, of all the teams, Manchester City, where Southampton showed fantastic desire and strength to panic the league champions, who went on to win the game 3-2. James played 66 minutes of that game, holding his own against the technique of David Silva, the power of Yaya Toure and the pace of Samir Nasri.
James has gone on to represent the Saints a few times this season, even playing 90 minutes against Arsenal, achieving a fantastic 94% pass completion in an embarrassing 6-1 defeat. With Arsenal’s acquisitions over the recent years, it’s hardly surprising they’ve been linked with signing the 18 year old, although, with James Ward-Prowse recently signing a new 5 year deal, Southampton have shown their intention to keep the starlet and will certainly not let him leave the club for cheap.
He has only played a handful of games for the Saints, but he has shown some fantastic composure and confidence for a young lad, which no doubt benefits his game. He’s already established himself as a future star, being in and around the squad for a lot of Southampton’s games this season.
James has represented his country at youth level, already making 7 appearances for the under 17’s, and 2 appearances for the under 19’s.
I strongly believe that this man will have had a hatful of England caps by the time he’s 25, and will become a household name for all you football lovers, watch this space.
Matthew Smith @LickOfSaint
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