Southampton cannot afford transfer distractions, says James Ward-Prowse
Tuesday 17 January 2017 08:48, UK
James Ward-Prowse has warned Southampton must not be distracted by the speculation surrounding defender Jose Fonte’s future at St Mary’s.
The Portugal international has been linked with a move away from Southampton after handing in a transfer request earlier in January.
Live Nissan Super Sunday
Fonte was left out of Southampton’s squads for their FA Cup clash with Norwich, their EFL Cup semi-final first leg win over Liverpool and Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Burnley in the Premier League.
Southampton have suffered four straight defeats in the Premier League but with big games on the horizon, including the EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool on January 25, Ward-Prowse says Southampton must be fully focused on turning things around.
“Jose [Fonte] is a massive figure within the dressing room but he’s also a top professional,” Ward-Prowse told Sky Sports News HQ.
"It has not really been a distraction because we as a group know it’s a situation between Jose and the club. It is something that will get resolved sooner rather than later but we know we have massive games coming up.
"We have not been in the best form lately, we have a massive game in the EFL Cup semi-final and we haven’t got time to be distracted. We have to be fully focused on the job at hand to turn things around."
Fonte has not been the only player linked with a move away from Southampton.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton have all been linked with a big money move for Virgil van Dijk, but Southampton have insisted the Netherlands international is not for sale.
And Ward-Prowse, speaking ahead of his side's clash with Leicester - live on Sky Sports on Sunday - is hoping it stays that way, declaring Van Dijk a key man at the club.
"Virgil is a massive player for us," the England U21 international said. "He is a great character in the dressing room.
"Most importantly, he is a Southampton player and he has massive ambitions just like every other player and the club has massive ambitions.
"I am sure he will be a Southampton player and we can go from there."
