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James Ward-Prowse: why a pivotal performance against Guardiola could be waiting

Two years ago, most Saints fans weren’t even sure where James Ward-Prowse’s best position was. He was considered to be a right-sided midfielder who sometimes liked to drift inside but could also be played as a right-back or a winger. His one defining trait back then, as it is now, were his free-kicks. Many were unsure if he would ever build on his obvious potential – or even remain a Premier League player.

Ward Prowse went on to prove them all wrong. Since then, we have seen a player grow and flourish into an established position while only building on his title as king of free kicks. Now, he is the Saint’s captain and is rightfully seen as one of the league’s best central midfielders.

Ward-Prowse’s technical ability and aggression are attributes that have allowed him to, with a bit of refinement from Ralph Hasenhüttl, competently fulfil the role as a box-to-box midfielder. Solid in the defence, forceful in the press, with an eye for quick progression of the play and a superb strike of the ball all combine to make him a midfielder worthy of more England caps than he has already enjoyed.

But the young Englishman, still coming into his peak as a player, will know he can go further and better. He has been recently tipped as a replacement for the departing Gini Wijnaldum at Liverpool, as he exhibits many of the same qualities the Dutchman does with his pressing and passing abilities.

But a simple suggestion will not cut it. Ward-Prowse needs to add world-class performances to his game if he is to attract Jürgen Klopp’s eyes – and there is no better place to do it than against Liverpool’s past and future title rivals, Manchester City. But it is no easy feat facing the team that looks likely to be champions. He will also have to contend with battling Ilkay Gundogan – a midfielder in the form of his life.

But, after being wounded by Manchester United at the weekend, there is an opportunity for Ward-Prowse to take the game by the scruff of its neck. This does not mean controlling the play, an impossibility against City, but controlling the press and holding his side in a strong defensive unit that Guardiola finds impossible to break down. Having shown that he has the technical ability, these leadership and defensive qualities are precisely what top-tier managers such as Klopp will be looking for. Display them on the pitch, and he will have interested parties.

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