A very big call
Jamie Carragher believes that James Ward-Prowse could surpass David Beckham’s impressive record for goals scored from free-kicks in the Premier League.
Ward-Prowse is closing in on Beckham
Ward-Prowse is probably the best dead-ball specialist in the Premier League and has scored 14 goals directly from dead balls in his career, four of those coming this season.
His direct rival, Beckham, is renowned as one of the best free-kick takers of all-time and holds the current record with 18 from set pieces.
At the age of 27, there is plenty of time for Southampton’s Ward-Prowse to break the record and during an interview with the BBC in April, he spoke of his desire to beat Beckham and that he would one day like to meet his “hero”.
“My main motivation is to meet my hero who I loved when I was growing up,” the Saints captain said.
“If I do get that record, hopefully he’ll reach out – but there’s a long way to go just yet.
“I love practising them, once I score one, I just want to score another.”
James Ward-Prowse is an absolute problem from set pieces 🔥
It's another picture perfect free-kick from the Southampton man 😍 pic.twitter.com/7vDPHArtvS
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 15, 2021
‘I’m convinced he goes above David Beckham’
Ahead of Southampton’s final home game of the season against Liverpool on Tuesday, Carragher backed Ward-Prowse to become the all-time highest goalscorer from free-kicks.
“I’m convinced he goes above David Beckham eventually in terms of goals scored from free-kicks,” he told Sky Sports.
“His technique is fantastic and you see that in terms of the Player of the Year awards, I think he was right in the top list.”
"Any club will want him!"
Could James Ward-Prowse leave Southampton this summer ahead of the 2022 World Cup? 🔍🏆 pic.twitter.com/uMxCPFft9H
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 17, 2022
However with the World Cup later this year, both Carragher and Jamie Redknapp questioned whether he would need to leave his boyhood club to ensure himself a place on the plane to Qatar.
“Any club will want him,” Redknapp said.
“Everyone’s spoken about him. He’s a favourite down here [Southampton], I’m sure clubs would love to sign him.
“It’s what level he goes to and if he’d be better than leaving Southampton. I think he’s got an interesting summer coming up, but he wants to go to the World Cup.”
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