James Ward-Prowse still has work to do to reclaim his status as Southampton’s free-kick king.

James Ward-Prowse was once regarded as one of the most dangerous free-kick specialists in English football, but his reputation as the undisputed king of set-pieces is now facing a serious challenge.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola previously described the Southampton midfielder as the “best free-kick taker I have ever seen”, a remarkable compliment that reflected the quality and consistency of his deliveries.

During his best years at St Mary’s, Ward-Prowse developed a reputation for making opposition goalkeepers nervous whenever Southampton were awarded a free-kick within shooting distance. Supporters regularly expected him to produce something special, and his ability to find the net from seemingly impossible positions became one of his greatest qualities.

Southampton FC v Aston Villa – Premier League | Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

His outstanding form was particularly noticeable in 2020, when he scored three direct free-kicks during a remarkable run of matches in a single month.

The midfielder produced two stunning set-piece goals against Aston Villa at the beginning of November before adding another memorable effort against Manchester United at St Mary’s on November 29.

Those performances strengthened his reputation as one of the Premier League’s finest free-kick specialists.

Ward-Prowse also revealed that he had spent years practising free-kicks in his garden as a youngster. That dedication eventually helped him reach an incredible milestone of 17 direct free-kick goals in the Premier League, demonstrating just how exceptional his technique had become.

However, his return to Southampton under Tonda Eckert has brought a different version of the experienced midfielder. Rather than regularly looking to produce spectacular attacking moments, the 32-year-old has concentrated more on controlling matches, distributing possession and providing composure in the middle of the pitch.

Although his qualities remain valuable to the Saints, he has some work to do if he hopes to reclaim his position as the leading free-kick specialist in English football.

Ward-Prowse Has a Serious Challenge Ahead

An interesting look at the direct free-kick statistics across England’s top four divisions since December 2020 shows that Ward-Prowse is no longer at the top of the rankings.

The Southampton midfielder currently occupies second place with eight direct free-kick goals during that period.

Danny Andrew is just behind him with seven, while Marcelino Nunez and Lewis Wing have both registered six.

However, one player has established a remarkable advantage over the rest of the competition.

Scott Twine leads the standings with an astonishing 18 direct free-kick goals, placing him comfortably ahead of Ward-Prowse.

His latest contribution arrived on Wednesday night when he opened the scoring for Bristol City against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Twine produced another excellent set-piece finish to give the Robins the advantage, although Wolves eventually recovered to secure a 2-1 victory.

The goal was another reminder of the midfielder’s exceptional ability from dead-ball situations.

Twine’s reputation as a specialist is not new. His former Ashton Gate manager, Gerhard Struber, previously described him as a “free-kick monster”, a label that appears increasingly appropriate when looking at his numbers.

The Bristol City midfielder has consistently demonstrated that he possesses the technique, confidence and accuracy required to turn free-kicks into genuine scoring opportunities.

With 18 goals compared to Ward-Prowse’s eight, Twine has opened up a considerable gap in the standings.

The Southampton star will therefore need to produce something special if he wants to challenge for the position again.

For someone who previously enjoyed such an extraordinary reputation, watching another player dominate the rankings will undoubtedly be an interesting development.

Can Ward-Prowse Produce Another Special Moment?

At 32, Ward-Prowse is no longer attracting the same attention for spectacular attacking performances that he enjoyed during his best Premier League seasons.

His return to Southampton has seen him adopt a more controlled and experienced approach to the game.

Instead of constantly attempting to influence matches with spectacular goals, the midfielder has become an important figure through his composure, tactical understanding and ability to manage possession.

That does not mean he has completely abandoned his attacking responsibilities.

Earlier this season, he found the net against Wrexham, although the goal was not the kind of spectacular free-kick supporters previously associated with him.

Ward-Prowse reacted quickly to a rebound and confidently finished the opportunity. Unfortunately, his contribution was not enough to prevent Southampton from suffering a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the Racecourse Ground.

His recent performances have also demonstrated how much responsibility he is accepting in other areas of the pitch.

During Southampton’s victory over West Ham United last month, he worked tirelessly defensively, recording five tackles and winning important duels as the Saints secured three valuable points.

Such contributions highlight the changing nature of his role under Eckert.

The experienced midfielder is increasingly demonstrating that his importance to Southampton cannot simply be measured through goals, assists or spectacular moments.

His experience and leadership could prove equally important as the club attempts to secure promotion.

Promotion Matters More Than Individual Records

Southampton supporters would undoubtedly welcome another memorable Ward-Prowse free-kick before the end of the campaign.

There is something special about watching a player who has previously produced so many outstanding set-piece moments rediscover that particular ability.

However, the midfielder’s priorities are likely to be focused on helping Southampton achieve their wider ambitions rather than chasing personal records.

The Saints need experienced players capable of handling pressure, controlling difficult matches and providing consistency throughout the promotion campaign.

Ward-Prowse has already demonstrated that he can contribute in those areas.

Although Scott Twine currently holds a commanding advantage in the free-kick rankings, that does not diminish what Ward-Prowse has achieved throughout his career.

His remarkable record and previous performances explain why Guardiola praised him so highly.

Whether he can rediscover his extraordinary set-piece form remains uncertain, but Southampton will hope his experience helps deliver something far more important: a successful promotion campaign.