AliousWest Ham Midfielder Tipped for Shock Southampton Return After Nuno’s Ruthless Call
Nuno Espírito Santo’s arrival at West Ham has already caused ripples throughout the squad, with early decisions hinting at a major reshuffle ahead of the January transfer window.
The Portuguese tactician, brought in on a three-year deal, has been backed by the board to steady the Hammers after their shaky start. While a solid 1-1 draw at Everton gave glimpses of improvement, defensive lapses — particularly from corners — remain a serious issue.
With title contenders Arsenal up next, Nuno knows his new side will need to be far sharper if they are to avoid further trouble at the bottom end of the table.
Despite the challenges, Nuno has quickly shown his uncompromising style, underlined by his decision to drop James Ward-Prowse from the squad entirely for the Everton clash. The 30-year-old midfielder, a regular under previous managers, now appears to have no place in Nuno’s plans. Reports suggest Ward-Prowse has been told he can leave in January, with a return to Southampton strongly on the cards.
Football journalist Dean Jones told *TEAMtalk* that the former England international is resigned to departing the London Stadium. “The signs are clear that he is not part of the picture at West Ham. A January exit looks inevitable, and the chance to re-join Southampton has already been mentioned,” he explained.
Ward-Prowse, once hailed as “world-class” by Alan Shearer for his set-piece expertise, was signed largely for his dead-ball threat and sits just one goal shy of equalling David Beckham’s Premier League free-kick record. However, with Nuno unwilling to give him opportunities, that landmark looks unlikely to come in claret and blue.
For Southampton, who know his qualities better than most, a reunion could be a huge mid-season boost. For Ward-Prowse, it could be the lifeline he needs to revive a season that has suddenly gone cold.
Alious
