Few players have ever routinely scored from direct free kicks in the Premier League’s history.
One of them is James Ward-Prowse, who rose to second place on the all-time Premier League scorers list from set-piece scenarios after scoring another goal from 30 yards for Southampton against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in February 2023.
Over the course of an eight-year English top-flight career, he has scored 17 goals from free kicks. He now needs just one more to tie David Beckham’s record of 18 goals. On August 20, also against Chelsea, he may make his West Ham debut and get the chance to achieve that.
The Sporting News breaks into the record-breaking effort and explains what makes Ward-Prowse so potent on dead balls.
Who in the Premier League has scored the most goals off of free kicks?
David Beckham, a former star for Manchester United, now owns the Premier League record for most direct free kick goals.
Throughout his remarkable time with the Red Devils, Beckham scored 18 free kicks that helped his team win six English Premier League championships.
However, 28-year-old midfielder James Ward-Prowse, now of West Ham, is just one such goal away from equaling the record after his goal against Chelsea on February 18 at Stamford Bridge.
James Ward-Prowse
James Ward-Prowse
This season he played in total once for 90 minutes for Championship.
James Ward-Prowse didn’t score any goal for Southampton. He procured one assist. He received no yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 5th in Championship. In the last match Southampton won 2-1 against Plymouth Argyle.
West Ham United performance and stats
West Ham United is currently 4th in the Premier League with 4 points.
In the last 2 games, it has won once and drawn once. In its last match, West Ham United won 3-1 against Chelsea.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 4 goals and conceding 2.
West Ham United will play the next match in Premier League against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday 26th of August in Falmer.