Southgate’s Ward Prowse blinkers

I’m fully aware that West Ham‘s James Ward Prowse was unavailable for England selection this week. The Hammers summer signing was given some much needed time off to rest, following a precautionary scan. Fortunately the results of that scan were favourable, allowing player and club to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

However, it is worth noting that Gareth Southgate was unaware of any injury to Ward Prowse at the time of naming his England squad. The Three Lions manager selected a squad which included midfielders such as Bellingham, Rice & Foden . . . No complaints on that score because all are fine players in good form.

Unfortunately the same can’t be said of Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson. Both were selected for the England squad and the latter actually started the game. The most incredible element to to story, is that Saudi based Henderson’s inclusion appeared to force Jude Bellingham out of position.

Bellingham has been nothing short of sensational since his £100m transfer to Real Madrid this summer. Playing as a central attacker, the former Birmingham player is arguably the form player in world football. Yet somehow he was shoehorned into a left midfield position, whilst Henderson seemed to enjoy more freedom to roam.

Ward Prowse faces an uphill battle

Put bluntly, if the best midfielder in world football gets shunted around to accommodate Jordan Henderson. James Ward Prowse has no chance.

I’m not suggesting for a second that the Hammers midfielder should be starting ahead Rice or Bellingham. However, something is amiss when a player with a goal and three assists can’t get into the squad ahead of people who don’t play at all. It should also be pointed out that the exquisitely skilled Phil Foden was also benched.

Much like Foden, there are probably others with as big a complaint as James Ward Prowse. It just defies understanding that a journeyman footballer continues to be selected ahead of more talented players.

Henderson hasn’t just departed for Saudi following an outstanding campaign for Liverpool either. The midfielder has been pretty poor for the past two years. He is the very definition of the term ‘living off former glories’.

Controversial decisions have to be justified with victory, and this one wasn’t. The Euro qualifier finished Ukraine 1-1 England, and Southgate’s team were crying out for some cutting edge.

I’m not even suggesting that Ward Prowse should have started the game. I’d have selected Rice in front of the back four and allowed Foden & Bellingham to roam. But to not include the countries set-piece specialist when he’s in such good form is odd.

This is Southgate’s last shot at glory . . . unfortunately he seems to doing precisely what he always does.