“He gives them more than Declan Rice”- Hammers Legend Teddy Sheringham praises West Ham new signing as he says player offers David Moyes side more on the pitch than Declan Rice did
Former West Ham forward Teddy Sheringham has claimed that new arrival James Ward-Prowse “gives you more” than Declan Rice did, in a glowing review of the new Hammers star.
Sheringham claimed that Ward-Prowse’s influence in attack will offer more at the London Stadium than Rice, who left earlier this summer to join Arsenal, saying he just hopes the attackers can make the most of the chances he creates.
He was also full of praise for Hammers duo Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio after their flying starts to the season, stating that you never know how far a bit of confidence can take these players.
Speaking to Sky Sports on 5 September, Sheringham was asked about David Moyes’ start to the season and shared his view: “It’s tough when you’re playing in Europe week in, week out and struggling in the Premier League and he came in for a lot of stick, but he seems to have got a nice little unit.
“I like Ward-Prowse coming in. He’s probably not the player Declan Rice is, but he gives you more, especially going forward, that’s without a doubt, and he will open up defences for the strikers and hopefully the boys can take the chances.
“Jarrod Bowen’s started well, Antonio, great, you know, if you start scoring goals you’re full of confidence and you never know where that takes you.”
To receive such high praise from someone held in especially high regard at the London Stadium shows just how brilliant Ward-Prowse has been in the early stages of his West Ham career. Coming in as one of the players intended to replace Rice won’t have been an easy task, but he has managed it well so far.
The former Southampton captain came in alongside Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez with the two of them hoping to balance out the loss felt by Rice’s absence, with the Arsenal man offering plenty both going forward and breaking up play in midfield.
It would be hard to argue with Sheringham’s assessment, despite Rice scoring a late winner for Arsenal to beat Manchester United at the Emirates last Sunday, with Ward-Prowse racking up a goal and three assists in just three West Ham games.
His ability to deliver set-pieces has become a fundamental part of the Hammers’ game plan and is already proving the desired results after such a short time in East London, to the delight of everybody associated with the club.
