A shocking new revelation about James Ward-Prowse has embarrassed West Ham and underlined exactly why Everton are so keen to sign the Nuno Espirito Santo outcast.
When David Moyes brought James Ward-Prowse to West Ham it looked like a shrewd signing and now he wants to do the same at Everton.
Ward-Prowse has been heavily linked with a move to Everton in the January transfer window and a reunion with Moyes.
The former England midfielder actually enjoyed an excellent debut season with the Hammers after his £30m move, contributing 18 goals and assists.
But replacing Declan Rice was always going to be a thankless task for West Ham and Ward-Prowse’s obvious limitations in open play brutally exposed that fact.
When Moyes left the London Stadium, West Ham appointed Julen Lopetegui who didn’t fancy Ward-Prowse and loaned him out to Nottingham Forest.
Nuno arrival saw Everton target Ward-Prowse frozen out at West Ham
Moyes would return to Everton six months later, at the same time the Hammers were replacing Lopetegui with Graham Potter.
Potter’s first move was to bring Ward-Prowse back from his disastrous Forest loan and make him one of the first names on West Ham’s teamsheet every week.
In the age of set-pieces, why aren’t West Ham making more of James Ward-Prowse?! 👀
He was getting David Beckham comparisons at one point!
In the end, though, Potter’s persistence with Ward-Prowse in the heart of a failing midfield would ultimately be one of the reasons for his undoing.
Everton were again linked with Ward-Prowse in the summer window.
Especially after he was seen speaking to Moyes after the Hammers beat the Toffees in a pre-season clash on a tour of the US.
When Potter became a face swap meme it was alongside Ward-Prowse, often depicted as his son.
With one-time Everton target Potter sacked, Ward-Prowse knew his card was marked the moment Nuno Espirito Santo came in.
The dead ball specialist was bombed out of Forest by Nuno after just a handful of appearances.
One of the Portuguese’s first acts after becoming West Ham manager was to make it perfectly clear Ward-Prowse had no future at the club.
The mystery of that Nuno and Ward-Prowse bust-up was finally solved this week.
Now a shocking new Ward-Prowse revelation embarrasses West Ham and shows why Everton want him.
Shocking new -Prowse revelation embarrasses West Ham
The details will make for uncomfortable reading for the Hammers while simultaneously reinforcing why Moyes sees Ward-Prowse’s value and allegedly wants him at Everton before the window slams shut.
Back in November it was revealed Everton are keen on signing Ward-Prowse from West Ham, after he was frozen out by Nuno.
Ward-Prowse is expected to leave in January. How will he be remembered for his time at West Ham?
Club sources recently confirmed the set-piece master is not even allowed to partake in full training at Rush Green as Nuno attempts to force the 31-year-old out of the club.
The Athletic recently claimed Everton and Burnley are pushing to try and sign him.
With just 12 months remaining on his contract at the end of the season, Hammers News understands the club are desperate to offload him to the Toffees or another suitor.
Many have questioned the wisdom behind Ward-Prowse’s exile at West Ham.
Especially with the Hammers struggling for form and results as they stare relegation from the Premier League in the face.
Midfield is one area of the team Nuno has managed to largely fix and while Ward-Prowse would not be a starter, he has enough quality to at least be in the squad.
Now new statistics have emerged which will leave West Ham with egg on their faces and show just why Moyes wants Ward-Prowse at Everton in what is most likely to be a loan with an option or obligation to buy.
Damning facts leave Hammers red-faced and show why Everton want Ward-Prowse
Because Ward-Prowse has created more chances for West Ham from crosses (10), corners (seven) and free-kicks (two) than any other player in the Premier League this season.
That is despite the fact he has not played for the Hammers in four long months, since September.
West Ham have been nothing short of abysmal for much of that time so the fact Ward-Prowse remains their biggest chance creator is indicative of how bad everyone else has been.
It shows he could at least have been doing a job coming into games late if things weren’t working for the Hammers.
And with just four league wins to their name, things have not been working more often than not for the Irons.
Moyes wanting to add that specific talent to his team, which already boasts playmakers like Jack Grealish and the brilliant Iliman Ndiaye, makes complete sense.
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