In a nutshell James Ward-Prowse could be described as the epitome of the perfect professional footballer. Dedicated, disciplined, determined, diligent all while displaying an intelligence off and on the field. His one league game – the only one he played outside the Premier League – at the onset of the 2023-24 season meant he served under eight different Southampton managers and it is unlikely one of them would ever be heard saying a bad word about this most consummate of footballers. A hard-working defensive midfielder he made his debut as a 16-year-old and his career at St Mary’s encompassed the whole decade that Saints remained in the Premier League. During that time he won 11 England caps (2 goals) and perfected the art of scoring from free-kicks, a skill that led Pep Guardiola declare he was the “best free-kick taker I have seen in my life”.

By the time he departed for West Ham his tally from those kicks was 17 goals, just one shy of David Beckham’s record total and additionally he had converted 15 out of the 20 penalty kicks he took, making him one of only 34 players to score 50 or more goals for the club. Ralph Hasenhuttl had made him club captain in June 2020, his career having blossomed under the Austrian and at one stage he had played every minute in a run of 118 consecutive games – a credit to his fitness and consistency. With relegation in 2023 it was inevitable after such a long spell at the club he would seek fresher pastures and not many in the city begrudged him a move back into the Premier League, especially as Saints received a £30m fee into the bargain.