West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse could be heading to Leeds United in January, with the Yorkshire side desperate to add a proven set-piece specialist.
The upcoming January transfer window will prove pivotal for Leeds United as they bid to avoid immediate relegation from the Premier League.
After a decent start, they have slipped down the standings, and are now in the drop zone on goal difference.
Despite having one of the tallest squads in the league, set-piece goals have been few and far-between at Elland Road.
With Daniel Farke under pressure, the next Leeds manager odds suggest a change could be imminent.
Adding one of the world’s best dead-ball specialists could therefore be a superb move.
Set-piece goals have quietly returned to prominence in the Premier League – and not just for relegation-threatened sides.
Table-toppers Arsenal lead the way with 13 at the time of writing.
But for teams at the bottom end of the table, where open-play opportunities are limited and quality in the final third comes at a premium, dead-ball efficiency becomes a critical weapon.
Corners, free-kicks and long-throws often provide the best chances to score for teams struggling to survive.
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
Leeds United Look To Capitalise On Team Of Giants
And yet, despite boasting one of the tallest squads in the Premier League, Leeds have scored just five set-piece goals this season.
At an average height of 1.85m (6ft 1in), Leeds should be playing to their aerial strength.
In the summer, they signed the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin (6ft 2in), Sebastiaan Bornauw (6ft 3in), Sean Longstaff (6ft 2in), Jaka Bijol (6ft 3in), and Anton Stach (6ft 4in) among others.
Few Premier League sides can match that profile in terms of height and aerial presence.
Yet for all their height, Leeds lack the elite delivery required to turn that advantage into goals.
This is where Ward-Prowse comes in.
The 31-year-old former Southampton captain is widely regarded as one of the best set-piece specialists of his generation in English football.
He can deliver a pinpoint cross from a variety of angles, and create numerous chances from dead-ball situations.
Ward-Prowse is also capable of scoring a few himself.
Although yet to score from a free-kick at West Ham, his time at Saints took him to within one goal of David Beckham’s all-time Premier League record for direct free kicks.
James Ward-Prowse 🏴 is two free-kick goals away from overtaking Beckham 🏴 for the most in Premier League history. ‼️👀
-David Beckham (18)
-Jame Ward Prose (17) pic.twitter.com/Qzjz8AS0zo— Futbol Sport Zone (@FutbolSportZone) March 5, 2023
Out-Of-Favour James Ward-Prowse Could Solve Leeds Set-Piece Issues
The situation for Ward-Prowse at West Ham only helps Leeds’ case.
Since Nuno Espírito Santo replaced David Moyes in September, the midfielder has fallen sharply down the pecking order.
He’s made just five Premier League appearances this season, and has not featured at all since playing 90 minutes in West Ham’s 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace in September.
Once a key member of the Hammers’ midfield, he has been deemed surplus to requirements by Espirito Santo who removed him from his squad as soon as he arrived.
For a player with his experience and ability, regular football is a must.
Still only 31, Ward-Prowse is far from finished, and will want to prove he can still play at this level.
From Leeds’ perspective, the midfielder suits their needs perfectly.
His set-piece ability and threat would create chances for the towering aerial talents in Daniel Farke’s squad.
And his control, passing range and work-rate could help take pressure off Leeds’ back-line.
West Ham may not wish to sell to a direct relegation rival mid-season, though.
But given Ward-Prowse has barely featured in recent months, they may see the opportunity to cash in as too good to pass up.
Time will tell if Leeds do opt to make a move, but it’s a deal that would suit both them and the player immensely.
