#PLStories- James Ward-Prowse on his commitment to Southampton ahead of summer transfer window #SAINTSFC

JAMES Ward-Prowse insisted his commitment to Saints “stems from the training ground and love for playing” ahead of a summer with anticipated transfer interest. The 27-year-old captain and England international had already been linked to the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United by the time last season was over. That is testament to the 10 goals he registered – and a further five assists – for the first time in the Premier League, and an all-round contribution to the St Mary’s side. Fees in the region of £75million had been reported elsewhere as required to prise the talisman away with a contract until 2026 safeguarding Ward-Prowse’s value. He signed that deal to end Aston Villa sniffing around last summer, after a £25million offer from the Villans was rejected by the club. Ward-Prowse spent the first two weeks of June away with the England national team, but only featured once in the wretched break - 90 minutes of a 0-0 draw with Italy. And asked by the Daily Echo if he feels he can do anymore to show his commitment to the club and city, Ward-Prowse insisted: “My commitment stems from the training ground and my love for playing football. “That is ultimately what has got me here and that will never, ever change. My passion and love for what I do and making sure I enjoy every moment I’m out on the pitch." He added: “That is the way that I show my commitment and I’ll continue to do so. “I think everybody wanted to finish the season well, and is looking forward to getting away and having that break. “It’s an intense period of the year where we’re working very hard and it’s a nice moment to sit back and reflect on what has gone on in the last few months, and look forward to recharging the batteries.” Ward-Prowse, like any player of his ability, is ambitious and – even if he does not admit it – will likely have stray thoughts of how he could contribute at the very top level. The biggest disappointment of another slide down the Premier League table last season, with perhaps financial reward aside, is failing to show players like Ward-Prowse how the club is moving forward. Ward-Prowse’s commitment to the club is such that he will sign the five-year deal to ward off interest and settle supporters’ nerves during an exodus of other key players. But the club needs to repay that with fulfilling the maestro’s ambitions. Integral to that will be his Three Lions involvement under Gareth Southgate. He has been open about the ‘hurt’ of narrowly missing the European Championship squad – how it made the nation’s joy difficult to stomach – and he will not want to experience that again this winter. “I like to think so,” Ward-Prowse speculated, asked if he is doing enough to be in the camp this time around. “I have always said that what I do in a Southampton shirt will then enable me to hopefully be in the England squad. “Hopefully I have done enough but I just concentrate on what I can do for now.” A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News