Nuno Draws a Line: Ward-Prowse Frozen Out as West Ham Plot January Shake-Up

James Ward-Prowse has been told there’s no way back for him at West Ham under Nuno Espirito Santo — a brutal early call from the new boss that all but ushers the £30m midfielder towards the January exit.

The Everton omission that said it all

Nuno’s first major statement came before a ball was even kicked: Ward-Prowse was left out of the matchday squad for the trip to Everton, a decision that sent ripples through the dressing room. West Ham still scrapped their way to a 1-1 draw at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Jarrod Bowen’s deflected effort levelling Michael Keane’s first-half header. But make no mistake, the headline was the midfielder’s absence — and what it signals.

The 30-year-old was informed upon Nuno’s arrival on Saturday that he isn’t in the long-term plan. No tantrums, no theatrics — Ward-Prowse took it professionally — but the message was crystal: the new regime is moving in a different direction.

Record on ice for the set-piece specialist

Ward-Prowse sits one free-kick goal shy of equalling David Beckham’s Premier League mark of 18. In normal times you’d fancy him to hit it by Christmas; in these circumstances, it could be a while. He had started all six of West Ham’s games in all competitions this season before the axe fell.

Across his Hammers stint, he’s racked up 73 appearances with eight goals and 12 assists, and, for the number crunchers, he posted two key passes and won one ground duel in the recent defeat to Crystal Palace, according to SofaScore (figures correct as of 30/09/2025). The pedigree isn’t in doubt — the fit clearly is.

Why Nuno isn’t convinced

This looks like a classic case of philosophy over profile. Nuno wants energy and athleticism in the middle, aggressive pressing out of possession, and legs to cover the wide areas quickly. Ward-Prowse brings elite dead-ball quality and tidy distribution, but if the manager sees him as the square peg in a gegenpress-shaped hole, the hierarchy tends to back the new man’s blueprint.

There’s also history. Ward-Prowse had a brief loan under Nuno at Nottingham Forest last season, only for that spell to be cut short midway. It doesn’t scream long-term buy-in from the head coach, and that background will only harden this stance.

What next for Ward-Prowse?

He’s under contract until June 2027, but he’s expected to be kept at arm’s length from first-team training while the club maps out his routine. A January move is the cleanest solution for all parties. Southampton — his boyhood club — are likely to be in the conversation as they push for promotion, and there’ll be no shortage of Premier League sides who’d love his delivery from corners and free-kicks.

For the player, it’s about minutes, rhythm and a manager who trusts his strengths. Put him in a side that lives off set-piece margins and he changes tight games. There’s still serious value there.

West Ham’s midfield reset

From West Ham’s perspective, this is a bold, early line in the sand. It suggests Nuno wants more runners and ball-winners around the pivot, perhaps a remodelling that prioritises pace and transition over craft from deep. That’s not a slight on Ward-Prowse — it’s a stylistic fork in the road. Expect recruitment chatter to pivot towards high-intensity eights who can press, carry and break lines.

For those who fancy a flutter on where he’ll land, make sure you’ve sized up the market on the best betting sites before the window opens.

Bottom line

It’s ruthless from Nuno, but managers are paid to be decisive. Ward-Prowse won’t be short of suitors, and West Ham get to chase a midfield identity that fits their new boss. It’s a breakup that might just suit everyone — once the dust settles and the January bids start flying in.