David Moyes must start James Ward-Prowse for West Ham v Chelsea

HomeStats & Tactics Sun 28 April 2024 21:10, UK

West Ham will be hoping to complete the league double over Chelsea this season, and David Moyes must reinstate James Ward-Prowse to the starting XI in order to do so.

The Hammers claimed a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture in August, with Nayef Aguerd, Michail Antonio and Lucas Paqueta on target, while Carney Chukwuemeka registered for the Blues at the London Stadium.

While Emerson Palmieri won the spot-kick for the latter's last-minute penalty, Ward-Prowse provided assists for the first two goals, tormenting the Blues from set pieces.

The former Southampton midfielder was dubbed a "super-smart signing" by Jurgen Klopp before being dropped against Liverpool on Saturday 27 April.

He must be the first name on the teamsheet on this occasion to face a free-falling Chelsea side on Sunday (5 May), hopefully adding to his 13 Premier League goal contributions this season.

James Ward-Prowse must feature in West Ham United v Chelsea Moyes dropped Ward-Prowse in order to make room for Paqueta in the middle of the park, but still made a 15-minute cameo before Antonio scored an equaliser against the Reds.

Maintaining a 90 per cent pass accuracy during his short spell on the pitch helped sure things up in midfield, and even created one chance that could have seen the Hammers steal all three points. [FotMob]

His ability on the ball will come as no surprise to anyone, possessing a season average of 90 per cent passing accuracy in the Premier League. [FotMob]

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James Ward-Prowse has had a largely successful first season at West Ham As well as this, the 29-year-old ranks in the top 98 percentile for assists among midfielders in Europe's top five leagues, and Chelsea will be fearful of this exact stat. [FBref]

Ward-Prowse has made 230 dead-ball passes in the Premier League this season and that, mixed with Chelsea conceding the fifth-most fouls per match in the league, is a recipe for West Ham goals. [FotMob]

In other West Ham news, the club have been handed a major boost in appointing David Moyes' replacement as a manager has made his future intentions clear.