James Ward-Prowse has been handed a fresh opportunity at West Ham United after Nuno Espírito Santo apparently wiped the slate clean with the midfielder following his return from Burnley.
The 31-year-old looked unlikely to have a future in east London after spending the second half of last season on loan at Turf Moor, having previously fallen out of Nuno’s first-team plans.
However, ExWHUEmployee has backed a clarification stating that Ward-Prowse has been told the “slate has been wiped clean” and that the midfielder gives Nuno additional options.
Sunday provided further evidence that his situation has changed.
James Ward-Prowse back in Nuno’s West Ham plans
Ward-Prowse was named among the substitutes for West Ham’s Championship opener against his former loan club Burnley before replacing Pablo at half-time.
Nuno initially changed the shape before eventually moving Ward-Prowse centrally as West Ham attempted to regain control of the game.
The midfielder’s introduction also immediately strengthened the Hammers from dead-ball situations. West Ham eventually went 2-0 ahead before Burnley’s late comeback secured a 2-2 draw.
That represents a significant shift from the beginning of the summer.
ReadWestHam previously examined the difficult decisions facing Nuno over Ward-Prowse and Edson Álvarez, with the former Southampton captain returning from a loan spell that initially appeared to underline his uncertain future.
Ward-Prowse originally joined West Ham from Southampton for around £30million in 2023 and has one year remaining on his contract. His set-piece delivery and Championship experience could yet prove valuable across a 46-match promotion campaign.
The arrival of Arne Engels has increased competition in central midfield, while Mohamadou Kanté and Lewis Orford both started against Burnley.
Ward-Prowse therefore has no guarantee of reclaiming a regular starting position.
But being trusted for an entire second half at Turf Moor, combined with the latest update over Nuno’s stance, suggests an exit is no longer inevitable.
A player who appeared to be heading towards the West Ham door may now have another chance to change his manager’s mind.
