James Ward Prowse
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

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

June 20, 2022
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
Gavin Bazunu
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- New Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu reveals reasons for joining Saints and Portsmouth rivalry #SAINTSFC

June 18, 2022
NEW Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu insisted “I need to prove I’m ready to play” but is not shy to admit he made the St Mary’s move to find Premier League gametime. The 20-year-old shot-stopper has departed Manchester City on a permanent basis having never made a senior appearance for the club, but with a big reputation. The Republic of Ireland international has excelled on the world stage for country and in League One over two loan spells, including winning Portsmouth’s player of the year last season. He now links up with the Saints group permanently as replacement for the outgoing Fraser Forster, who joins Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer at the end of his contract this month. Read more  “The biggest thing is opportunity, that I can come here and fight for my place is probably the biggest thing,” Bazunu said, asked why he made the decision to leave the English champions. “To leave Manchester City was a big decision considering the size of the club and where they are, but it’s a brave and important one to make in my career. I want to continue the gametime I’ve been getting over the past two years and obviously I want to play. “The Premier League is the pinnacle, everybody wants to be here and like you said it doesn’t matter if I’m here but not playing as long as I’m here. I need to first of all prove that I’m ready to play, and if I get the opportunity I need to perform to keep my place.” Bazunu made 46 appearances for bitter rivals Pompey last season, and admits he knows about the hatred between the two Hampshire sides. However, he was respectful to his former loan home and labelled the supporters “brilliant”. “Yeah I know it’s a massive rivalry between two big clubs,” Bazunu added. “My time at Portsmouth was brilliant, I really enjoyed it and the fan base were brilliant. “They gave me a platform to go and play and without being there I wouldn’t have the opportunity to come here. Now I’m looking forward to hopefully playing in the Premier League.” Bazunu signed for Manchester City as a 16-year-old and is looking to keep himself at the forefront of the changing dynamic surrounding goalkeepers’ influence on the game. As a youth playing for Shamrock Rovers, Bazunu was insistent instead on playing as a left-wing and had to be persuaded to go in goal – perhaps that is why he is so good with his feet. “The game really is evolving in terms of how brave goalkeepers have to be and not just in the old sense of coming for crosses and being strong,” Bazunu said. “Decision making and the risks you have to take, the ability you have to have with the ball at your feet. It’s a side of the game I really enjoy, being creative. “Some people see goalkeepers as destroyers but to be creative is a really important part. You see the way so many teams are starting to play out, the goalkeepers start the attacks.” On his time at City, Bazunu added: “It was massive, I wasn’t there for the past two years but beforehand but it’s similar to Southampton – the big thing was the people. “It’s an amazing club in terms of all the people and how welcoming they are, I learned so much in my first year and that allowed me to have my two loan seasons.” 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
Vincent Kompany
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Man City legend Vincent Kompany now a Premier League manager #MCFC #BURNLEYFC

June 15, 2022
BURNLEY have confirmed the appointment of Vincent Kompany as their new first-team manager. The Clarets have been without a permanent boss since Sean Dyche’s departure back in April, with Under-21s chief Mike Jackson taking interim charge in the final weeks of the season. Kompany enjoyed a successful playing career at Manchester City among others before returning to boyhood club Anderlecht in 2019, initially joining as player-manager. He guided the club to a third-place finish in the Belgian league last season before announcing his departure amid links with a move to Turf Moor. “Burnley Football Club is a truly historic English side and it is an honour to be appointed first-team manager,” Kompany told the club’s website. “I’m excited by the challenge ahead. “I’m looking forward to getting to work with the players and creating a positive, winning team for our fans when we return to Turf Moor. “I’ve been impressed by the board’s vision for the club which aligns with my own and I look forward to playing my part as we enter an important season.” The Clarets are preparing for life back in the Championship following relegation from the top-flight last season. Chairman Alan Pace is delighted to have secured Kompany's services and is excited by his philosophy. He added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Vincent to Burnley Football Club. “Vincent is a proven leader and I’ve been very impressed with his ideas for Burnley Football Club, his appetite to succeed and his focus on leading the club back to the Premier League. “Vincent has shown impressive credentials in leading one of Belgium’s biggest teams back to European football and a cup final last season and we’ve been excited by his philosophy, approach and ambition for the club.” Clarets on social, plus take out a subscription... Keep up to date with our Burnley coverage on social media by joining us on Facebook and Twitter Gain unlimited access to the Lancashire Telegraph website with a premium digital subscription Or if you want the Telegraph newspaper delivered to your door, get in touch with our home delivery team or call us on 0800 953 0227
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- New Southampton assistant coach Ruben Selles reveals what to expect in Hasenhuttl pairing #SAINTSFC

June 14, 2022
NEW Saints first-team lead coach Ruben Selles has revealed he is “in the same line” as manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, but his different details will “give the best” to the team. The 38-year-old former FC Copenhagen assistant manager was announced as joining Hasenhuttl’s coaching staff, ahead of the new season, last week. He is the first appointment since the departure of Craig Fleming, Dave Watson and Kelvin Davis as Saints shuffle the pack in response to a dire campaign-end. Selles is a student of football, completing his UEFA Pro License at the age of just 25, and has since worked in various roles across Europe’s minor leagues. New assistant Ruben Selles has given an interview to #SaintsFC.💬 "You will win or lose, but to make a strong team together. Always in Southampton you speak about the family, so I think that has been one of the main points – to be able to create that kind of environment." pic.twitter.com/QFb10Tijd6 — Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) June 13, 2022 And in his first interview since arriving at St Mary’s, Selles has opened up on the working relationship between him and his new boss – Hasenhuttl. “Ralph is a coach that likes to be active with his team,” Selles told the club website. “Likes to defend really, really high. Read more - Saints paid financial settlement to acquire new assistant “Likes to have a good defensive system to press high, to get the back four far away from the goalkeeper, to press the opponent, to get the ball back as quick as possible, so I would say we have a lot of common points with our philosophy.” He continued: “Ralph is from the Red Bull philosophy, where you can find the organisation and the respect to the ball that you need, so I think we are in the same line. “Of course with different details, and that’s why it’s going to be good, because we can, from each perspective, give the best to the team.” Saints have backed Ralph Hasenhuttl with his reported first-choice assistant (Pic: Stuart Martin) Born in Valencia, Selles’ career has taken him to Greece, Russia, Azerbaijan and Norway, as well as native Spain, where he held youth coaching roles with Valencia and Villarreal. Selles regularly worked as an assistant manager, most recently last season where he helped FC Copenhagen win their first league title in three years and qualify for the knockout stages of the UEFA Conference League. “Due to my career I’ve worked in seven countries now, including England,” he added. “I think I know how to adapt quick into new environments with new people, new players, new culture, and that has been a big point in the last 10 years of my career, working in Azerbaijan and Denmark mainly. “This also helps in the way that we have been really successful in both countries with four different clubs, and I think that says that I have the ability to read the environment and what is needed to organise a team to be a winning team. “You will win or lose, but to make a strong team together. Always in Southampton you speak about the family, so I think that has been one of the main points – to be able to create that kind of environment in a team and to perform together to reach the next level.” 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
Romain Perraud
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton ace Romain Perraud on positive mind, Livramento and English life #SAINTSFC

June 14, 2022
ROMAIN Perraud insists there were “two decisions” he could have made when struggling to make Ralph Hasenhuttl’s XI early in his first season in English football. One - to become disillusioned - would have been easy for the Frenchman, away from his family, friends and beloved partner in a new country.  The other takes a sense of calm derived from self-belief, ready introspection and a willing to work. "You can be not happy and angry, or you can learn,” the 24-year-old summer arrival simply put to the Daily Echo. Perraud, signed from Stade Brest for around £10million, started three of the first four Premier League games - but just three of the next 14 as Kyle Walker-Peters began to strangle that left side. “When I arrived I needed to adapt to this championship, to the Premier League,” Perraud said. “It was a big difference with the French first division and Premier League. Romain Perraud has enjoyed his first season in English football (Pic: Stuart Martin) “I began the first two games and after I was on the bench. When you’re on the bench, you have two decisions. "You can be not happy and angry at training or you can learn. In my mindset, I have to learn everything every day.” He continued: “When you’re on the bench, you watch your teammates and you have to learn okay I need to do this, I need to improve this. “This is my mindset and the season is very long, it is not a sprint but more of a marathon. Hopefully I have the chance to play and to give everything for my club.” It was over that superb run at the start of 2022 where Saints began to see exactly what Perraud was capable of, with solid defending and ambitious attacking. Thumping a long-range strike off the crossbar during the 3-2 win at Tottenham Hotspur, his first goal in England came soon after with a similarly impressive effort in the FA Cup versus West Ham. Video: Romain Perraud’s goal against West Ham #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/mrQERgaYY7 — SaintsExtra (@SaintsExtra) March 2, 2022 On a personal note – despite Saints being unable to buy a win – it was all going so well for Perraud, until a fracture cut his season short going into the final week. He should be able to return for pre-season, and travel with the squad to Austria in mid-July. However, fellow full-back Tino Livramento will be kept out until 2023 with the ACL injury he suffered away at Brighton in April. It was Perraud who replaced the distraught 19-year-old on the day – and it thrusts him into a more significant role, with Walker-Peters now needed on his usual side.  “I was very sad for Tino because when I came onto the pitch against Brighton I was shocked,” Perraud reflected. Romain Perraud could start almost every game in Tino Livramento's absence (Pic: PA) “He will come back for sure because he is very, very good. So I have thought for him. "For me, there is Thierry Small on my position as well. If I am good, I will play – if I am not good, I will not play,” he added, taking nothing for granted. “I can be the only one on the position and still you have to prove on the pitch. Next season I have to do more. I am looking forward to the next season as well.” Things should get easier off the pitch for Perraud, with his girlfriend – who had been living in France for work - set to make a permanent move to England. “From July we will be together definitely,” the ace said with a smile. “It will be a good year for me for the next season. “It was not easy but you know, when you play football and you have been making sacrifices for a long time, what you have to do to be on the top. “I love England. I love the culture and the passion for the football,” he explained. "I live in Winchester, a quiet city and it is not so far from Southampton or London. "When you have a day off you can take time to discover different places. This is good for me, my girlfriend and my family as well.” 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
Jeremy Sarmiento
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton’s Moises Caicedo is inspiration to Ecuadorian Jeremy Sarmiento #BHAFC

June 13, 2022
Jeremy Sarmiento has revealed his colleague and best mate is inspiring him to shine for Albion and Ecuador. The winger and his family have been helping Moises Caicedo settle into English life after his move from South America. Sarmiento and Caicedo are close mates off the pitch and are currently away with their national team. Caicedo has made a huge impression with the Seagulls and is a mainstay of La Tri. He played the full game as Ecuador beat Cape Verde 1-0 in a friendly in Florida last night. Sarmiento has not reached that level yet and has been impeded by injury. But he is back in action after his latest hamstring issue, havving played the first half last night, and has set sights high. Caicedo spent the first half of last season on loan at Beerschot. Sarmiento said: “When I knew he was coming back from Belgium, from the first minute I was with him. “Helping him with whatever. “I also learn a lot from him on the pitch. “He is playing all the matches and he is tearing it up and that pushes me to be in the team with him on the same pitch. “It is fantastic to have a friend who I can share things with at Brighton and in the Ecuador squad.” Sarmiento was first to make his Prem debut – and was handed a first start at West Ham on December 1. A hamstring injury early in that game blew a big hole in his season. He suffered a similar, but less serious, setback when he suddenly pulled up when playing for the under-23s at home to Chelsea late in the campaign. While not a major blow, it was enough to end his club season. But Ecuador boss Gustavo Alfaro has used him as a sub in recent friendlies against Nigeria and Mexico in the United States. From New Jersey and Chicago, Ecuador have now moved south to Fort Lauderdale to play Cape Verde over the weekend. Sarmiento loves the fact they have stuck with him during his injury problems. He said: “When I made my debut with Brighton, from what they tell me, I think they were watching as well. “They got in contact with my dad, with the club, with me. “They offered me the chance to go to qualifiers against Bolivia, Colombia and Venezuela. “I was surprised, to tell the truth. “It was very quick, I didn’t expect it. “But I could see they had this trust in me that Gustavo still has. “I thank him a lot, not only him but the staff and coaches as well. “I’ve had injuries and it has not been easy for me and they know I’m not at my maximum yet, still recovering. “But they still keep me in mind. “They still have this confidence in me. WHY BRIGHTON LOOKS RIGHT CHOICE FOR IN-DEMAND JULIO ENCISO “I’m very grateful for this chance to help the team get as far as possible. I’m happy.” Sarmiento was born to Ecuadorean parents in Madrid. He spent about a decade in London, followed by a stint in Lisbon playing for Benfica. Three countries were keen on getting him involved in their national set-ups. He said: “When I first came to Brighton, England called me and so did Spain. “But I always had this dream of representing my country and also my parents’ country and making them happy as well. “I feel more at home with the Ecuador national team. “The atmosphere there is different to, for example, people here. “Here people are colder. “There, you go in the changing room and everyone is dancing (laughs) and doing stuff, it’s good to be in this atmosphere. “My time with the Ecuador squad has been phenomenal.”
Kyle Walker Peters
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Kyle Walker-Peters reveals his message to injured Tino Livramento #SAINTSFC

June 10, 2022
KYLE Walker-Peters revealed he has told injured Tino Livramento to “take his time” and avoid rushing back to fitness for Saints. The 19-year-old defender missed the end of the season after picking up an ACL injury during the 2-2 draw at Brighton, undergoing surgery successfully last month. It followed a supremely successful first season in senior football, in which Livramento made 28 appearances in the Premier League. The former Chelsea academy star looks set to miss at least the rest of 2022, but fellow right-back Walker-Peters admits he has encouraged him to not rush his recovery. “I think he has shown everyone how good he is and to be able to do that at 18 is incredible,” Walker-Peters told the club website. Saints defender Kyle Walker-Peters (Pic: Stuart Martin) “He’s had an incredible season and that’s what I said to him, take some time to relax. “You’ve had a good season and you’ve shown everyone in the Premier League you can cope. He’s young and will want to rush back but I’ve told him to take his time.” Livramento’s arrival as a teenager last summer saw Walker-Peters receive a shock benching – despite the youngster having only played 45 minutes of pre-season. The short cameo versus Athletic Bilbao – in which he assisted for Theo Walcott with one of his first touches of the ball in red and white – and what Livramento showed Ralph Hasenhuttl in training was enough for the Austrian to make up his mind. Tino Livramento impressed versus the Basque side (Pic: Corin Messer) "Yeah it was (a surprise to be on the bench at Everton)" continued Walker-Peters. “I think it was a shock to most people but that's football sometimes. “The manager decided to go with the team that he wanted to go with that's what he did for I think the first four games. "You know, I had a few cameos where I came on but you know I had to keep my head down, keep working hard just like I've done my whole career. “I've been in plenty of situations like that and I kept grinding it out and when I got the opportunities to play I showed them why I should be in the team." He continued: "I think his arrival has allowed me to show everyone I can play left-back. It's something I've always enjoyed doing. I've done it since I was in the academy at Tottenham, playing left-back. “Through the England youth system, left-back so yeah it wasn't too new to me but it was nice to be able to show everyone, you know, how versatile I am." 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
Fraser Forster
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Fraser Forster on his decision to join Spurs #THFC #SAINTSFC

June 9, 2022
FRASER Forster described as a "fantastic opportunity" the chance to join Tottenham Hotspur, insisting: "I couldn't get here fast enough." Forster's departure from Saints after eight years was today confirmed, with his contract set to expire at the end of this month. And Spurs have moved quickly to snap up the England goalkeeper, who arrives on a free transfer and officially becomes a Tottenham player on July 1. Forster will battle Hugo Lloris for the starting spot in north London, with Antonio Conte's Spurs gearing up for a return to the Champions League, following their fourth-placed finish in the Premier League. Discussing his move, Forster told Tottenham's official website: "I’m absolutely delighted. “This is a fantastic opportunity for me. When a team like this comes along, it’s impossible to say no. I couldn’t get here fast enough to get it done. “Everything about the place is world-class. "The stadium is probably the best I’ve ever been to - ask any player in the Premier League, and that’s what they’ll say. "The training ground is unbelievable, to be able to come here and work, and work hard, I’m very privileged. "It’s an opportunity I’m very grateful for." He added: “It will be a fantastic season, fantastic to have Champions League football, obviously, important to have got that, and now having achieved that, I’m sure the club will want to go as far as they can in the competition. "I’ve played almost 50 European games, so if I can come in and help in any way possible, that’s what I’ll be looking to do.” Forster made 162 appearances for Saints, following his arrival from Celtic in the summer of 2014. 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
Theo Walcott
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Theo Walcott ‘intrigued’ about own future amid reported Southampton exit #SAINTSFC

June 8, 2022
THEO Walcott admitted he is “intrigued” to see where his future takes him, after already starting pre-season work for Saints. The 33-year-old forward has begun individual preparations to keep himself fit ahead of a return to Staplewood Campus later this month. The St Mary’s side have given all players programmes to keep in top shape throughout their holidays and breaks. Walcott, however, has been linked with a move away from Saints this summer – with papers such as The Sun suggesting an MLS exit could be one route. The former Arsenal man and Saints academy graduate played just 12 times for Ralph Hasenhuttl across all competitions last season, and not once since February. Theo Walcott has one year left on his Saints deal (Pic: Stuart Martin) He is under contract with Saints until 2023, after signing a two-year deal last summer following a loan spell from Everton. Walcott himself is unsure where his future lies. Speaking on talkSPORT, he joked: “I can share with you that it’s a nice peaceful home at the moment with the kids at school! “I’ve started my pre-season work, Saints give us a lot of work to keep fit and I need to do a lot because I didn’t really play much last season and I need to keep up with these young lads. “I’m intrigued to see what happens next and I’m looking forward to pre-season. I think it’s probably my 20th pre-season, I don’t know, can’t even count. And they’ve brought back the yo-yo, which isn’t nice. There’s no need for the yo-yo!” The yo-yo test Walcott mentions is a maximal aerobic endurance fitness test, involving running between markers placed 20 meters apart, at increasing speeds, until exhaustion. “I remember doing it with (Danny) Ingsy because it was only me and him who came back a bit earlier,” Walcott added. Danny Ings departed Saints last August (Pic: PA) “You run the distance to the cone, and then have a distance you walk back to and then you’ve got to make it on the beep and run again. “We had a bit of a competition and I did not want to drop out first, and the 32-year-old didn’t drop out of first so I was happy with that. “It’s better in a big group because you can sort of get away with not getting to one cone but now they wear the trackers.” After Saints return to training this month, they will head to Austria for a week-long training camp on Wednesday, July 13. If still at the club, Walcott will likely be included in the group that travel and could face Bundesliga side Klagenfurt in a friendly on Monday, July 18. 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
James Ward Prowse
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Oriol Romeu reveals two things that make Ward-Prowse’s free-kicks so special #SAINTSFC

June 3, 2022
MIDFIELDER Oriol Romeu believes James Ward-Prowse’s “given talent” backed up by his work-rate, gave him the claim to be one of the world’s best free-kick takers. The Saints skipper struck his 14th direct free-kick goal in the Premier League for Saints, back at Brighton in April. It took Ward-Prowse four short of David Beckham’s all-time record, standing at 18. The likes of bosses Thomas Frank and Pep Guardiola have hailed the Saints star’s dead-ball acumen, with Romeu also praising the ability and application of the 27-year-old. Speaking about Ward-Prowse’s free-kicks on The Big Interview with Graham Hunter podcast, Romeu said: "He’s crazy. The free-kicks around the box are always a goal chance but also corner kicks, side-kicks, the crosses are always dangerous. “I’m thinking we should score more goals with the balls that are flying in but also you see in training when he has a shot it goals three centimetres out of the top corner "The normal person like me or someone else, the shot goes five metres about the fence, the flight of the ball, his contact, it’s always so clean and perfect - he rarely changes. “He is very accurate and very clean on the contact that’s what makes him so successful.” He added: “There’s two things there, one, he’s got a given talent, then on the practice side, he does practice. “Every week you see him practicing free-kicks but he loves doing it, it’s a bit of both." Ward-Prowse could add to his 10 senior England caps when the Three Lions take on Hungary in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday (5pm).