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Southampton talisman and club captain James Ward-Prowse has admitted that his future could be up in the air once the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League is confirmed.
The midfielder discussed his career options in the aftermath of Southampton’s’ 4-3 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Monday evening, a reverse that leaves the club nine points adrift of safety with just three fixtures left to contest.
However, Ward-Prowse was quick to dismiss the gossip that suggested he already had an agreement with Southampton that he can seek pastures new if the club are demoted to the Championship.
Ward-Prowse buried his eighth goal of the campaign when he converted a late penalty kick at the City Ground against Forest on Monday, though his effort wasn’t enough to earn the Saints a share of the spoils.
Ward-Prowse opens up about Saints future
Shortly after the full-time whistle on Monday evening, James Ward-Prowse, who has played over 400 games for Southampton, was quizzed about his intentions this summer if and when the Saints’ relegation is set in stone, and the schemer offered some candid thoughts in response, saying:
“I’m not looking to any of that. For me, it is about being focused on where we are now and giving my all for the club – which I always have done since I was eight years old.
“That doesn’t change. What happens beyond that, who knows? I don’t know. I’m just focused on doing everything I can in the next three games to give the club a chance of staying in the Premier League.”
When asked about the rumours that suggested a deal to leave was already in place, Ward-Prowse volleyed back with a convincing retort.
“No, there’s nothing in that,” he said. “The club know my thoughts and my position in terms of what I want to achieve in my career.
“Nothing has changed with that despite our position in the league. I want to give my all for this football club and whenever I put this shirt on I give 100 per cent.
“That’s no different whether we lose our next game or win it, it won’t change who I am as a person and that’s giving everything for this club.”
James Ward-Prowse has now recorded as many Premier League assists as Cristiano Ronaldo (37) 😯📈
Ronaldo did it in 236 games and Ward-Prowse achieved it in 340. pic.twitter.com/qyOqQQor3A
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) May 9, 2023
Ward-Prowse to stick with Southampton in the Championship?
It was then suggested to Ward-Prowse that the possibility of staying with Southampton and leading the club straight back up from the Championship might appeal, and he responded, saying:
“My future will take care of itself and I always want to give everything I can to the table to give ourselves a chance of staying in the league.”
“It’s not over until it’s over and we know the situation we find ourselves in.
“It’s the same as previous weeks in that we need to take maximum points now and hope results go our way. That’s got to be our focus now.”
The captain continued: “In football, you don’t know what’s around the corner. It’s not mathematically over so I’ve got other things to think about other than that.”
Southampton face Fulham at home on Saturday where anything other than a win will confirm their relegation. After a tough test against Brighton in their penultimate game, the Saints finish their season with a home match against Liverpool on May 28th.
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