---
title: "Ward-Prowse Given U-21 Armband"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2015/09/03/ward-prowse-given-u-21-armband/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Wes Upham"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2015-09-03T10:06:48Z"
modified: "2015-09-03T10:06:48Z"
---

# Ward-Prowse Given U-21 Armband

James Ward-Prowse has been named the captain of the England U-21 squad by Gareth Southgate for the upcoming fixtures during the International break.

The 20-year-old [joins](https://www.thefa.com/news/england/under-21/2015/aug/squad-named-for-usa-norway-250815) fellow Southampton players Matt Targett and Jack Stephens on the U-21 squad which hopes to start their Euro 2017 qualifiers positively. It is not only the U-21’s where Southampton are making an impact on England’s football future. [@youthhawk](https://twitter.com/youthhawk) made this great pie chart visualizing the number of players from different clubs on England’s youth teams.

> [#englandyouth](https://twitter.com/hashtag/englandyouth?src=hash) | A club-by-club guide to where the 126 [@england](https://twitter.com/england) U21-U16 call-ups have come from in 2015-16… [pic.twitter.com/sdJU0rtM8E](https://t.co/sdJU0rtM8E)
>
> — youthhawk (@youthhawk) [September 2, 2015](https://twitter.com/youthhawk/status/639086352005505025)

It is clear that Southampton have a promising crop of English youth.

James has 13 U-21 caps for England already and his leadership and strong play has earned him a consistent and important leadership role on the Young Lions who will play their double header with many new faces on the squad.

The U-21’s take on the United States U-23 team in Preston tonight and will open the Euro 2017 qualifiers in Norway on Monday.

It is clear that teamwork is on the forefront of Ward-Prowse and Southgate’s [mind](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/462755/Under-21s-James-Ward-Prowse-England-Southampton-Gareth-Southgate-USA-Under-23s).

Southgate saying, “I’m going to try to involve some more of the players in a leadership group because I think it’s important we develop more leaders — I think it’s a good dynamic for them to come to the fore”

James echoed his manager’s words reiterating,

*I will always try to lead by example in the way that I train and play do the things to the best of my ability*

*It is always tough for the new boys at the start.*

*It is just a case of doing events outside football to make sure that everyone feels a part of it.*

*That is the biggest thing – making sure that everyone is on the same page.*

*It’s vital really. When you are in games, you are going to have ups and downs and in those moments, it’s about making sure the teams comes together.*

*We have a WhatsApp group set up on our phones, so it’s a pretty efficient way of keeping everyone together.*

Ward-Prowse will hope to maneuver through his turbulent international  form and reach the height of his ability that helped him spearhead this goal against Germany over the summer.

[England U21s' 35-pass, 11-player move v Germany | Goals & Highlights (embedded)](https://www.youtube.com/embed/DfHwByfQZ64?feature=oembed)