‘I’d love to pick his brains’ – Southampton star reveals why chasing Beckham record a ‘good lesson’

Southampton star James Ward-Prowse would love to break David Beckham’s Premier League free-kick scoring record having idolised the man growing up.

Ward-Prowse, 27, is currently recognised as one of the best dead-ball specialists in the English game. That mantle used to belong to Beckham, who slammed 18 free-kicks into the back of the net for Manchester United. The Saints ace currently has 12 to his name.

And there is a sense of excitement around St Mary’s when Southampton are awarded a free-kick within his range. The Portsmouth-born midfielder is more than just a free-kick expert, however, and has won nine England caps.

He is in the squad for the current international break when the Three Lions face Switzerland and Ivory Coast. Ward-Prowse has found the net twice for Gareth Southgate’s side while Beckham scored 17 England goals from 115 appearances.

And the Southampton man confessed that he would love to surpass the former England skipper’s tally of top-flight free-kick goals.

“That would be an incredible achievement and it’s a good lesson for me in life that if you work hard at a particular skill you can reap the rewards of it,” he said.

“To beat someone like that I think would be incredibly impressive, but the funny thing is Beckham obviously went on to play in other countries and I’ve had a long time in the Premier League.

“I think it speaks a lot about his quality. It’s a good target to have in the back of my mind.”

Ward-Prowse would love Beckham meeting

Ward-Prowse has enjoyed another excellent campaign for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side. He has scored seven goals in all competitions, with six of those in the top flight.

And the talented schemer has been linked with a summer move away. Former England striker Kevin Phillips told Football Insider that Arsenal should move for the star.

Beckham scored 85 goals for United and 129 throughout his club career. And Ward-Prowse admits it would be a thrill to speak to the ex-England skipper after mimicking his hero growing up.

“Being English and seeing the magical moments that he’s created in an England shirt, he was the one I would race out into the garden to try and emulate and copy,” he added.

“I had a few of his hairstyles as well along the way and the boots.

“I’d love to meet him one day and have a coffee and a chat and just pick his brains. Hopefully if I can reach the record then hopefully he may reach out. We’ll see.”

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