West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse appears destined for an exit after he was brutally dropped from Nuno Espirito Santo’s first match-day squad.
Former Southampton captain Ward-Prowse, 30, joined the London club in 2023 after the Saints were relegated from the Premier League.
But after one season with the Irons, he was loaned out to Nottingham Forest last year.
Things didn’t go well for the 11-capped England international at the City Ground, though.
After making just 10 appearances in all competitions, Ward-Prowse returned to West Ham in February of last season.
What Happened With James Ward-Prowse And West Ham Boss Nuno Espirito Santo?
With Ward-Prowse frozen out at Nottingham Forest under Nuno Espirito Santo, the latter’s appointment as West Ham boss must have been a bitter pill to swallow.
The midfielder was left out of Nuno’s first squad entirely, despite starting all six games under Graham Potter this season.
But with West Ham’s relegation odds slashed and the club 19th in the table, Potter was sacked last week.
Welcome, Nuno 🤝 pic.twitter.com/lCvcrBl9Wx
— West Ham United (@WestHam) September 28, 2025
Having failed to impress the new West Ham manager while at Forest, it seems Ward-Prowse has been shunned once again.
It is unclear whether there was a specific falling-out behind closed doors or if Nuno simply doesn’t rate the player.
But either way, his immediate removal from the squad is an ominous sign.
Speaking in February of his lack of game time at Forest, Ward-Prowse said: “I’m the sort of character that wants to play every minute of every game.
“So to have had that brief period in the first half of the season where I haven’t, it’s tested those parts of my character again from when I was younger and relit that fire inside of me to get out there and to get playing again.”
James Ward-Prowse West Ham Career Looks To Be Over
But with Nuno leaving him out in the cold once more, Ward-Prowse seems destined for the exit door.
Asked why he dropped the player, Nuno said: “It’s a tough decision, we make decisions looking for the best options for the game.
James is not involved, we had a chat, I think he understands it.”
This is now the fourth manager Ward-Prowse has worked under at West Ham.
He started brightly in East London, with two goals and five assists in his first five games.
But having fallen down the pecking order, he was shipped off on loan to Forest.
🗣️ "We had a chat, I think he understands"
Nuno Espirito Santo discusses his first two training sessions at West Ham and the absence of James Ward-Prowse from his starting XI to face Everton ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/DG5xj0PFk6
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 29, 2025
Things looked to be better this season, with Graham Potter showing faith in him.
But with fans criticising the former boss for not substituting Ward-Prowse during the side’s loss to Crystal Palace, there were already issues once again.
And now Nuno has taken charge and axed the midfielder, an exit will surely follow.
Where Might James Ward-Prowse’s Next Club Be?
At 30 years old, James Ward-Prowse’s career is far from over.
The Portsmouth-born Southampton academy graduate spent 12 years with the Saints as a senior player, having debuted in 2011.
Prior to choosing West Ham, he was linked to Aston Villa and Newcastle.
But having struggled for form and minutes since leaving the South Coast, Ward-Prowse’s suitors are likely to be fewer.
James Ward-Prowse not part of the travelling West Ham squad for the Everton game tonight.
No injury so a decision from Nuno, who briefly worked with Ward-Prowse at Nottingham Forest. #WHUFC
— Jack Rosser (@JackRosser_) September 29, 2025
There is no doubt that former club Southampton would take him back in a heartbeat.
But the Championship side would struggle to meet his wage demands, and it’s unlikely he would be happy to drop down to the second tier at this stage of his career.
However, with West Ham 19th in the Premier League, a move elsewhere in the top flight seems improbable.
It may therefore be best for Ward-Prowse to look overseas.
The likes of Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour and Conor Gallagher have flourished after heading to the continent.
While no concrete links have been reported as of yet, a move to Serie A, La Liga or the Bundesliga could help reignite his faltering career.
James Ward-Prowse Stats
Described by Pep Guardiola as ‘the best free-kick taker in the world‘, he has scored 17 direct free-kicks in the Premier League.
That puts Ward-Prowse just one behind David Beckham’s all-time record of 18.
But despite reaching that tally in 2023, he has not scored a free-kick since leaving Southampton.
An angle of 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 James Ward-Prowse free-kick which is one of the most satisfying things you will ever see.pic.twitter.com/bpSvATbCLB
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) January 23, 2022
In total, Ward-Prowse made 410 appearances for the Saints, scoring 55 goals and providing 52 assists.
His record elsewhere has been less impressive, though.
He has just eight goals in 72 West Ham appearances, and registered just one assists while failing to score in ten games for Nottingham Forest.
Ward-Prowse has made 11 senior appearances for England since making his debut in 2017, scoring two goals.
But the last of these caps came in 2022, in an 0-0 draw with Italy during World Cup qualifying.
He has never been selected for England at a major tournament.
