The West Ham United squad will soon feel even more deflated when England take on Australia at Wembley on Friday.
Jarrod Bowen will be in the England squad wondering why his Hammers teammate James Ward-Prowse is nowhere to be seen. The midfield maestro has been in the form of his life since moving to Stratford, but once again he has been overlooked by Gareth Southgate.
As the Three Lions march out onto the Wembley pitch, one of Jordan Henderson, Conor Gallagher or Kalvin Phillips will most likely be in the starting lineup. While fine players in their own right, even the most neutral spectator must sympathise with Ward-Prowse, who can’t get selected for a bench-warming Phillips or a Saudi-playing Henderson.
His West Ham teammates could be watching on with sympathy too. Per Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing (8 October), Hammers players were saddened to see Ward-Prowse omitted.
Romano said: “The expectation at the club was to see JWP appearing in that list as he’s doing great, so West Ham were surprised and also some teammates are sad for James as it was a big opportunity for him. But it’s life, he’ll keep pushing for sure.”
To see their teammate away from an international side he certainly deserves to be in would deflate them even more. While disappointment is understandable, Romano’s report reveals that Ward-Prowse has settled into life at the club very well and his new teammates clearly like and appreciate him if they’re responding to his snub this way.
West Ham fans may be happy to see the 28-year-old have some rest and avoid the chance of an injury, but for Ward-Prowse himself he must be feeling like his international hopes are on the brink. He’s no youngster and with so many exciting young midfield options coming through the ranks at England, space is limited.
Even after his huge goal contribution tally this season, with two goals and six assists in all competitions, he still doesn’t; make Southgate’s cut.
Romano also noted that Ward-Prowse will “keep pushing”, so perhaps he remains hopeful that continued excellence will have to be rewarded. Southgate does not cave to public pressure when it comes to squad selections, hence the presence of Harry Maguire, Henderson and Phillips, so Ward-Prowse will have to impress the boss rather than the crowds.
In other West Ham news, a journalist has urged one Hammer star to seize his latest opportunity.
