James Ward-Prowse is set to be a Championship player next season, but Micah Richards believes Newcastle or Liverpool should give him a fresh chance in the Premier League.
Southampton were officially relegated from the Premier League on Saturday, losing 2-0 to Fulham. Their 11-year stay in the top flight is over, and it will likely be a summer of change at St Mary’s.
Plenty of players will leave the club, and the most likely candidate is Ward-Prowse. The 28-year-old is one of their most saleable assets, and a move away from his boyhood club appears to be on the horizon.
The midfielder has spent his full career with the Saints, but relegation will likely lead to a move away. He is reportedly a target for Newcastle, who have been waiting to discover how much he will be available for.
They might not have to wait too much longer now that Southampton’s fate is sealed, and former Manchester City defender Micah Richards is keen to see someone like Newcastle make a move.
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Richards thinks Ward-Prowse to Newcastle would be ‘smart’
In his column for the Daily Mail, Richards has commented on Ward-Prowse’s Southampton future.
“He is a saleable asset for Southampton and plenty of clubs will be keen on him,” he wrote.
“He will be a smart buy for someone and it would not be the worst decision in the world if Liverpool, who need a replacement for James Milner, or Newcastle tested the water when the window opens.”
Newcastle need midfield depth
While Ward-Prowse probably would not walk into our starting XI, he would be a decent addition to Eddie Howe’s squad.
With Sean Longstaff currently out injured, it is very clear that Newcastle are lacking depth in the middle of the park. That is definitely something that the Toon owners need to address this summer, especially with European football on the horizon.
Newcastle are going to play more football, meaning Howe will need more players to rotate his squad.
As Richards says, Ward-Prowse could be a smart signing. He has previously described the England international as ‘underrated‘, and that is probably the case. When you think about JWP, the first thing that comes to mind is his set pieces, but he can do so much more than that.
His passing range is exceptional, and he is perhaps a player who could thrive in a stronger team.
Ward-Prowse is going to be a man in demand, and it will be interesting to see how highly he ranks on Newcastle’s list of targets. Richards thinks he should be near the top, and is imploring the Magpies or Liverpool to make a move.