West Ham United have endured a really challenging 2024/25 campaign, and James Ward-Prowse has made some incredibly concerning comments about where we’re at as a club right now.
Ward-Prowse returned to West Ham in January after his unsuccessful loan spell with Nottingham Forest was cut short.
The Hammers signed Ward-Prowse from Southampton in the summer of 2023 for around £30 million.
Whilst the 30-year-old is a hard worker, he has been accused by some West Ham fans of being somewhat of a one-trick pony due to his limitations aside from his ability from set-pieces.
In general though, Ward-Prowse is a popular figure at the London Stadium.
He can never be accused of not trying, but is he deluded regarding the state of the current situation at West Ham?
James Ward-Prowse’s delusional claim should concern West Ham fans
The Hammers midfielder is all set to face his former club at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The clash with the Saints is an absolute must-win for West Ham.
Southampton are far and away the worst team in the league, and Graham Potter desperately needs not only all three points, but a top-class performance from his players as well.
Ward-Prowse will most likely start the game against the Saints on Saturday, and he really needs a good individual performance.
However, his latest comments, as quoted by WHUFC.com, suggest that he’s not actually aware of just how bad he and his teammates have been this season:
“It’s not where we want to be. It doesn’t feel like we’re in that position, but we are. I’ve been in that position (17th) before, unfortunately, and you can sometimes feel that ‘we’re not at a level’ and it feels around the place that we’re low, whereas now I feel like the league’s not a true reflection of where we are as a team.“
That reads to me like the Hammers players are deluded about how poor they have actually been this season.
And if that is indeed the case, it’s not good news at all, regarding our hopes of making some real progress next season.
Does Graham Potter want to keep James Ward-Prowse at West Ham?
Ward-Prowse will turn 31 later this year.
And with the Hammers desperately in need of more pace, power, athleticism and ball carrying ability in the middle of the park, the former Southampton man’s future in East London is far from secure.
However, it has been claimed that Potter wants to keep Ward-Prowse at West Ham.
The Hammers head coach apparently views the midfielder as a vital member of his squad, what with his vast experience.
I’m just not sure keeping him at the club would be a good move. He’s a solid performer, but his profile is so far away from what the Hammers actually require in central midfield right now.
If West Ham could get a decent fee for Ward-Prowse this summer, selling him may well be in the club’s best interest.
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