Wilfried Zaha Crystal Palace
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- James Ward-Prowse set to re-ignite Zaha ‘rivalry’ and wants best mate Forster with him #SAINTSFC #CRYFC

March 29, 2022
JAMES Ward-Prowse is set to face long-time footballing foe, Wilfried Zaha, if named to start by Gareth Southgate tomorrow, joking: “It’s a great rivalry.” The Saints skipper and Crystal Palace forward have had a number of run-ins on the pitch during their Premier League battles – including helping Zaha get himself sent off at St Mary’s. The 29-year-old former England international, who switched allegiances to Ivory Coast in 2017, played 85 minutes of their last-minute defeat in France on Friday. Zaha has 21 caps for his country, scoring five goals, and could make a return to the Wembley Stadium pitch in the international friendly on Tuesday March, 29. Ivorian international Wilfried Zaha (Pic: PA) Ward-Prowse, who was England under-21s captain under Southgate, is set to win his 10th senior cap in the Three Lions’ first match against non-European opposition since November 2018. “I think it’s a good way of helping us prepare for the tournament and, yeah, of course, I mean, it’s a great rivalry, I suppose,” Ward-Prowse said with a laugh. “But I have the utmost respect for him. He’s a fantastic player and he’s somebody that we have to be wary of. I think it’ll be an exciting game. To be playing a different nation is definitely exciting.” Southgate is planning changes against the Ivorians, which could mean goalkeeper Fraser Forster makes his first England appearance since May 2016. Fraser Forster in England training (Pic: PA) Injuries to stoppers Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone led to the 34-year-old’s surprise return to the international set-up. Ward-Prowse is delighted for his close friend after coming through adversity to impress between the sticks for Saints this season. “He’s obviously been on a difficult journey in the last few years,” the 27-year-old added. "He’s my best mate and I’m absolutely delighted for him. "He’s worked incredibly hard as well. He’s had some difficult moments along his footballing journey but he’s shown a lot of persistence, and his quality as well. “You can see the presence that he holds on the pitch and he gives everybody that confidence. I’m absolutely delighted for him and hopefully he can make the most of his opportunity this week.”
Wilfried Zaha Crystal Palace
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse loves crowd banter and Zaha rivalry #SAINTSFC #CRYFC

December 22, 2021
RUN-INS with the likes of Wilfried Zaha are “all part of the game” says James Ward-Prowse, who insists he loves getting banter from the opposition supporters. The 27-year-old England international was on the receiving end of choruses of jeers and boos at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park, but struck back in the finest possible way. Ward-Prowse planted an inch-perfect free-kick past former international teammate Jack Butland to equalise for Saints after Zaha had put the home side ahead. And it was a welcomed intervention, with it seeming as though former friend and foe Zaha was going to have the last laugh over his Saints rival. The two have come to blows in meetings between the teams before, including Zaha getting himself two consecutive yellow cards at St Mary’s, in January 2019, for an inflamed reaction to Ward-Prowse and the referee. The ex-Manchester United man also seemingly poked Saints’ skipper in the eye a year later but escaped punishment. “No it’s great, it’s all part of the game (the crowd getting on his back),” Ward-Prowse told the Daily Echo. “Me and Wilfried Zaha know each other from the England under-21s and have had a few run-ins in games but that’s all part of it. “All the crowd banter and things like that is great, it’s what makes it fun for me and it’s great to play in that sort of atmosphere, it gives it more of an edge and it’s enjoyable.” Ward-Prowse was critisiced by some after the January 2019 incident for celebrating the referee’s decision to dish out the red card to Palace key-man Zaha.