First Team Squad
Player profile and performance records.
James Ward-Prowse (Midfielder)
James Ward-Prowse
Portsmouth, EnglandPosition: Midfielder
Born: 1st Nov 1994 (Portsmouth, England)
Signed: 14th Aug 2023 (£30,000,000)
Contract: 4 years (signed August 2023)
Previous Club: Southampton
KUMB Awards: None.
Following former club Southampton's relegation from the Premier League, Ward-Prowse signed a four-year contract with West Ham United on 14 August 2023.
He made his debut on 20 August, providing two assists in a 3?EUR"1 home victory over Chelsea, a game he described as "a dream debut".
He scored his first goal for the club (and his 50th in the Premier League) in the following match, a rare 3?EUR"1 away victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on 26 August.
On 6 April 2024, Ward-Prowse scored the winning goal in West Ham's 2?EUR"1 win at Wolves directly from a corner kick.
Ward-Prowse changed his squad number from 7 to 8 ahead of the start of the 2024/25 season.
He completed a season-long loan switch to Nottingham Forest just three games into the 2024/25 season, having failed to gain assurances about first team opportunities.
However he was back at West Ham come the following (January) transfer window, after the two clubs had agreed to mutually terminate the agreement with Ward-Prowse having started only five games at the City Ground.
On 28 January 2026, Ward-Prowse completed a half-season loan move to West Ham's fellow relegation battlers Burnley.
vs Sunderland
3-1: Saturday, 24th JanuaryDid not play.
vs Sunderland
3-1: Saturday, 24th JanuaryDid not play.
vs Crystal Palace
1-2: Saturday, 20th September(Played 90 minutes)
It's not that he necessarily did anything wrong, he just isn't the player this team needs to sit in front of the defence. He doesn't pass like Hughes or Wharton, doesn't cover ground with any pace or intensity, and doesn't snap into tackles or bully with physicality. One corner should have had a better result when he found Mavropanos, but he appears to be picked entirely for his ability to always be running, so always offering himself for a simple pass. That's a skill, it's useful for the team, but it's not coming with enough impact in defence or attack to really matter.
vs Tottenham Hotspur
0-3: Saturday, 13th September(Played 90 minutes)
Dropped one good set-piece onto Kilman's head, one that probably should have been put away. His forward passing was improved, but a double-pivot of Soucek and Ward-Prowse is not going to offer anything from deep to progress the team.
vs Nottingham Forest
3-0: Sunday, 31st August(Played 90 minutes)
Worked hard and made some decent passes, without quite having the impact of others. His work in that role really is about being a player that lays a platform for others, covering the gaps, being available for a pass, keeping possession. Good corners in this game deserved a bit more.
vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
2-3: Tuesday, 26th August(Played 90 minutes)
Started well and looked better higher up the pitch, where he wants to be playing anyway, but faded after the break and got lodged deep in midfield with two other snail-like runners. One would be fine, three together is begging for problems.
vs Chelsea
1-5: Friday, 22nd August(Played 90 minutes)
He was bypassed too easily himself, but he was one of the busier players and showed more fight before everything completely fell apart. But he was snapping into tackles and made good interceptions, kept the ball safely as ever and produced a couple chances from corners. He just isn't a holding midfielder.
vs Sunderland
0-3: Saturday, 16th August(Played 90 minutes)
Unfortunately for Ward-Prowse and for West Ham, he is another on the long list of midfielders at the club who doesn't complement any of the others. Keeps possession ticking over and works hard, but the dynamism, power and guile that he lacks are also what the midfield lacks entirely.
vs AFC Bournemouth
2-0: Sunday, 3rd August(Played 90 minutes)
Energetic performance and maintained possession well, getting his first goal of the season. For Ward-Prowse, it has been an incredibly frustrating year, first sent out on loan, then barely used there. He came back to a team struggling to perform and has worked hard in a position that isn't necessarily to his suiting, deepest in midfield to protect possession. The way he got into the box and was high on the press to get his goal is probably more what he wants to be doing, and he will hope the midfield signings are good enough that he can play in this role more often.
vs Everton
2-1: Wednesday, 30th July(Played 90 minutes)
Energetic performance and maintained possession well, getting his first goal of the season. For Ward-Prowse, it has been an incredibly frustrating year, first sent out on loan, then barely used there. He came back to a team struggling to perform and has worked hard in a position that isn't necessarily to his suiting, deepest in midfield to protect possession. The way he got into the box and was high on the press to get his goal is probably more what he wants to be doing, and he will hope the midfield signings are good enough that he can play in this role more often.
vs Manchester United
1-2: Saturday, 26th July(Played 90 minutes)
Energetic performance and maintained possession well, getting his first goal of the season. For Ward-Prowse, it has been an incredibly frustrating year, first sent out on loan, then barely used there. He came back to a team struggling to perform and has worked hard in a position that isn't necessarily to his suiting, deepest in midfield to protect possession. The way he got into the box and was high on the press to get his goal is probably more what he wants to be doing, and he will hope the midfield signings are good enough that he can play in this role more often.
vs Ipswich Town
3-1: Sunday, 25th May(Played 90 minutes)
Energetic performance and maintained possession well, getting his first goal of the season. For Ward-Prowse, it has been an incredibly frustrating year, first sent out on loan, then barely used there. He came back to a team struggling to perform and has worked hard in a position that isn't necessarily to his suiting, deepest in midfield to protect possession. The way he got into the box and was high on the press to get his goal is probably more what he wants to be doing, and he will hope the midfield signings are good enough that he can play in this role more often.
vs Nottingham Forest
1-2: Sunday, 18th May(Played 59 minutes)
The midfield was fine without being particularly good, unable to pick passes through Forest or move it forward quickly enough.
vs Manchester United
2-0: Sunday, 11th May(Played 90 minutes)
It's his constant running and the pressing he showed late in the game that tips him into an 8. He was composed on the ball throughout and sets the tempo for a team that ended up with such a lovely first goal full of passing, and then ended with the energy and drive forward that the team was lacking as it camped deep.
vs Tottenham Hotspur
1-1: Saturday, 3rd May(Played 10 minutes, sub)
(Paqueta 80') Didn't have the urgency on the ball that the crowd demanded late on, but he came close with a last-gasp freekick and his cross for Bowen was excellent.
vs Brighton & Hove Albion
2-3: Saturday, 26th April(Played 90 minutes)
Played more vertically and made more effort to push forward, but it was the right call to take him off in a game where he didn?EUR(TM)t feel a necessary option in the deeper areas of midfield.
vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
0-1: Tuesday, 1st April(Played 77 minutes)
In some ways, he had quite a good game. Was fundamental to West Ham's possession in many stages of the game, but just lacking a bit of bite defensively and progression when passing forward.
vs Newcastle United
0-1: Saturday, 8th March(Played 90 minutes)
Neat, tidy and busy, but he seems to be the only one in the middle capable of passing like a midfielder, and isn't the most creative or progressive of passers in those areas. The trio that started are far too functional, with not enough flair.
vs Leicester City
2-0: Tuesday, 25th February(Played 90 minutes)
Accurate, well-positioned and intelligent. He looks like he's never been away, and has improved the midfield immensely since his return.
vs Brentford
0-1: Saturday, 15th February(Played 45 minutes, sub)
(Soucek 45?EUR(TM)) A busy and assured performance that balanced the midfield and allowed West Ham to pass the ball. Night and day in how the side functioned with him on the pitch.
vs AFC Bournemouth
1-0: Wednesday, 28th August(Played 60 minutes)
As with most of his performances in this role, it was fine but limited.
vs Aston Villa
1-2: Saturday, 17th August(Played 17 minutes, sub)
(Replaced Bowen, 73) You can see why the changes were made, but Ward-Prowse isn?EUR(TM)t a creative passer. Great with crosses and those big deliveries, but it needs a more intricate passer with him.
Manchester City
1-3: Sunday, 19th MayAs above, really. He's a player who is always going to be exposed as a step slower than such brilliant footballers.
Liverpool
2-2: Saturday, 27th April(Replaced Soucek, 74)
Crystal Palace
2-5: Sunday, 21st AprilWard-Prowse was let down by the players around him. If anyone had a right to be tired, it was him. But he didn't look it. He worked hard, made tackles and interceptions, created a fantastic opportunity for Antonio, and his delivery was generally up to his high standards.
Bayer Leverkusen
1-1: Thursday, 18th AprilSet the tempo and the tone. Magnificent energy and those Bayer players will remember him, especially the defenders who would not have expected such ferocious defending against them.
Fulham
0-2: Saturday, 13th AprilHaving done a really good job holding the midfield in a game we were forced back in, he cannot do the job in a game where we have lots of the ball and there's open space. Too slow, not keenly aware of gaps, and a better defender going forward than back.
Bayer Leverkusen
0-2: Thursday, 11th April(Replaced Paqueta, 62) Did his job, keeping the workrate up and getting up and down. The change ensured we stayed on it, pushing for more, which really ended the tie.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
2-1: Saturday, 6th AprilBusy defensively, and just generally busy as he always is, and then popped up with a rather fortunate goal.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
2-1: Saturday, 6th AprilBusy defensively, and just generally busy as he always is, and then popped up with a rather fortunate goal.
Tottenham Hotspur
1-1: Tuesday, 2nd AprilA really interesting player for what he offers a team tactically. How do you value the ability he has to fill different roles and switch places with the likes of Paqueta to enable him, and do the hard running high up the pitch when others tire? Decent freekick, couple good corners, created a chance for Antonio with good defensive work.
Tottenham Hotspur
1-1: Tuesday, 2nd AprilWorked hard but didn't do anything else to impact the game.
Newcastle United
3-4: Saturday, 30th MarchWhilst there are few fans of Ward-Prowse sitting in a pair with Soucek, he clearly understands the system of defence and his role much more than Phillips. He isn't a sniffer of danger, he's no Declan Rice, but he will work his nuts off, keep possession and get into the right positions.
Newcastle United
3-4: Saturday, 30th MarchAn improved performance on his return to the team.
Newcastle United
3-4: Saturday, 30th MarchAn improved performance on his return to the team.
Aston Villa
1-1: Saturday, 16th March(Replaced Paqueta, 84) Maybe he should have scored, but the block was probably too good to judge the strike. And it was great work to get there. The late freekick was brilliant, and why you bring a player like that on.
SC Freiburg
5-0: Thursday, 14th March(Replaced Paqueta, 62) Did his job, keeping the workrate up and getting up and down. The change ensured we stayed on it, pushing for more, which really ended the tie.
Burnley
2-2: Sunday, 10th MarchTerrible performance from the midfielder and that probably ends his chances of going to EURO 2024 with Gareth Southgate in attendance. Playing him out of position doesn't help him either.
Burnley
2-2: Sunday, 10th MarchHe's taking a lot of misguided ire lately, being a bit slow is a criminal offence to some fans, but he was poor today. Just too safe in forward areas, although it is fair to say the team wasn't exactly full of great movement with Paqueta again poor in the first half and Emerson missing. Moving to the wing to get Paqueta central just highlighted his weaknesses.
SC Freiburg
0-1: Thursday, 7th MarchNot a strong performance, although he should have had an assist when Mavropanos wasted a golden opportunity.
Brentford
4-2: Monday, 26th FebruaryQuietly efficient role, especially doing a lot of Paqueta's running work and pressing hard on that side. He moves for the ball well, and whilst he's often safe in possession, it's vital to have players moving for the creative ones to play off. A few good set-pieces, too.
Nottingham Forest
0-2: Saturday, 17th FebruaryHiding in the game didn't provide any support for Antonio up front and had no creativity. If the corners to the near post are something that Moyes has told him to do, go against it because it doesn't work.
Nottingham Forest
0-2: Saturday, 17th FebruaryIn games like this, he doesn’t have enough of a wow factor - whether it’s passing forward or carrying the ball - to really lift the team from a 10~ role. The set-pieces are his special skill, and he can’t force players to head them in.
Arsenal
0-6: Sunday, 11th FebruaryAt least he keeps the ball. With the amount other players give it away, I'll take his safe and sometimes stale passing over the dross from others.
Arsenal
0-6: Sunday, 11th FebruaryIs not a number 10. What is the point of bringing in a set-piece specialist if we don’t take any shots to get set-pieces in the first place?
Manchester United
0-3: Saturday, 3rd FebruaryGood moments and bad moments. Should have done better on the first goal, even if you can understand what he was trying to do. It needed firmer. And he created good chances from set-pieces, and one for Emerson down the left.
Bournemouth
1-1: Thursday, 1st FebruaryThrown into a left-wing role he would never suit and didn't look comfortable, but he will always work hard, protect the ball, and that one cross he delivered was fantastic. Stepped-up and took the pressure penalty.
Sheffield United
2-2: Sunday, 21st JanuaryA 5 without the penalty, he's just not a deep-lying midfielder. However, whilst he gets criticised for his passing being too safe, his midfield partner is also the opposite of a good pass, so it really limits his options. Least he keeps the ball and keeps it tidy.
Bristol City
0-1: Tuesday, 16th JanuaryAs was the case at Southampton, he's the kind of player that allows others to thrive. Unfortunately there wasn't much in the way of thriving anywhere.
Bristol City
0-1: Tuesday, 16th JanuaryNo one around him to pass to which resulted in him frequently losing the ball.
Bristol City
1-1: Sunday, 7th JanuaryIn games where someone needs to step up and create more, he doesn't really take over a midfield. He's not that guy, amidst a midfield three that all struggle to do it, and one of them needed replacing. When the team are pushing forward late on, could he go to right back?
Brighton
0-0: Tuesday, 2nd JanuaryPushed forward and was part of the first-half press. In the second half, he just sat in and made the odd interception.
Arsenal
2-0: Tuesday, 26th December10th assist of the season. Another tireless performance, and showing that his defensive skills are sharp enough to be a supplement to such efforts. His set-pieces are vital in a match like this and it was such a fantastic corner that Mavropanos guided home to make it 2-0, with real whip and bend.
Arsenal
2-0: Tuesday, 26th DecemberIt's no coincidence that we play much better when he plays in that 10 role. Great delivery for the second goal.
Manchester United
2-0: Saturday, 23rd DecemberPushhed into more advanced areas today and it paid off. Looks like he's been at the club for years.
Liverpool
1-5: Wednesday, 20th December(Replaced Kudus, 71) Another player that didn’t do anything in the limited time he was on.
Freiburg
2-0: Thursday, 14th DecemberLooks better in the more advanced role, where he gets to show his workrate, his pressing (which looked better as a team with him there), and knit things together from the two behind him.
Fulham
0-5: Saturday, 9th DecemberWhereas Ward-Prowse is nullified being forced deeper, where you lose the ability he has to defend aggressively, and isn't more than a safe passer in those areas. He can muck in, but it needed more and he couldn't offer it.
Tottenham Hotspur
2-1: Tuesday, 5th DecemberGreat anticipation to get the rebound for the winner and played some tidy passes when we hit on the counter-attack.
Tottenham Hotspur
2-1: Tuesday, 5th DecemberSeemed to be moved further forward in the second half. He's not a low-block midfielder, but he is a tireless workhorse who covers the yards and presses well. And he's shown on numerous occasions now for this club that he has a knack for joining attacks and picking up goals.
Crystal Palace
1-1: Saturday, 2nd DecemberGreat ball for the Kudus goal but apart from that he didn't provide much impact.
Nottingham Forest
3-2: Sunday, 12th NovemberEven without his corners, Ward-Prowse had played well on the ball and showed good awareness when dropping in to help Alvarez play out, or cover the Mexican when he pressed higher. But his set-pieces were the real highlight, creating multiple big chances and ending with two assists. The Hammers had failed to create much from open play, so his delivery was vital.
Nottingham Forest
3-2: Sunday, 12th NovemberSo dangerous with his set-piece deliveries and that shows with his two assists which rescued the game for the Hammers.
Olympiacos
1-0: Thursday, 9th NovemberProbably the best player on the pitch. Some important defensive contributions, created chances from set pieces and then came up with a lovely pass to assist the goal.
Olympiacos
1-0: Thursday, 9th NovemberBrilliant assist for the goal and back to his best with his set-piece deliveries.
Arsenal
3-1: Wednesday, 1st November(Replaced Benrahma 81) Came on to see out the game and did just that.
Arsenal
3-1: Wednesday, 1st November(Replaced Benrahma 81) Helped steer the team to victory when the game was already all but won.
Everton
0-1: Saturday, 28th OctoberPoor delivery from corners and also didn't make any passes which started an attack.
Everton
0-1: Saturday, 28th OctoberMore solid in the two there when Alvarez plays, mainly because the Mexican is so good at sweeping up danger. But he struggled to make a positive attacking impact, and he probably needs to be playing a touch further forward to do that.
Olympiacos
1-2: Thursday, 26th OctoberCan't believe I'm writing this but... poor delivery from corners. Is Moyes telling him to put it at the front post? Because it's definitely not working. This deeper role does not suit him and he needs to be further forward.
Olympiacos
1-2: Thursday, 26th OctoberHe's not awful defensively, but his good moments are bonuses more than something you can rely on. Should be able to impact a game like this and he absolutely couldn't.
Aston Villa
1-4: Saturday, 21st OctoberDid well into the final third but didn't have the opportunity to do that much due to his deeper role.
Aston Villa
1-4: Saturday, 21st OctoberDid quite well defensively, but couldn't really make it work going forward.
Newcastle United
2-2: Saturday, 7th OctoberMore withdrawn in this, with Soucek playing a touch further forward to do the pressing. Was defensively very aware and smart in the first 45, but struggled a touch in the second half.
Sheffield United
2-0: Saturday, 30th SeptemberIf West Ham had been chasing the game more, it seems almost certain that one of his set-pieces would have forced a goal. Good performance.
FK TSC Backa Topola
3-1: Thursday, 21st SeptemberHis deliveries won West Ham the game. Could be criticised for giving Ogbonna the responsibility with the ball on their goal, but it's looking for reasons to criticise him. Was excellent with the ball, moving possession on well, and with security.
Luton Town
2-1: Friday, 1st SeptemberWest Ham had control, in part to the brilliant balance and performances in midfield, but without a set-piece delivery like that, West Ham draw a game they had dominated. Clutch moments that didn’t happen last year will be what decides success this season.
Brighton & Hove Albion
3-1: Saturday, 26th AugustBringing back the quick forward pass to get the attacks moving. And following it forward to be there and finish off the move, that is some perfect Moyes midfielding. And that's before you add in a great job protecting central areas, sliding to the wings to assist and throwing his body at anything he had to.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.
James Ward-Prowse did not play for West Ham during this season.