Free-kick king James Ward-Prowse has banked 50 Dream Team points in his last six games
DAVID BECKHAM is shaking right now.
James Ward-Prowse (£4.2m) is hunting down Golden Balls' record for most free-kick goals in the Premier League with ravenous intent.
Southampton may have lost 3-1 to Wolves at Molineux on Saturday but their captain's long-range knuckleball was a moment to savour, one that continued his excellent individual Dream Team form.
The 27-year-old has scored four goals and provided three assists in his last six appearances, scooping two Star Man awards in the process.
This prosperous run has produced 50 points, making Ward-Prowse one of Dream Team's most in-form midfielders.
It's worth noting that Saints' skipper endured a lean first third of the season and so this spell of plentiful points has moved his overall total onto 79, putting him level with Phil Foden (£5.7m).
But hang on, let's circle back to that free-kick.
Fans have become accustomed to Ward-Prowse's whipped curlers from 25 yards - his goal against Crystal Palace in December was a classic example - but his most recent effort was another animal altogether.
35 yards out, struck with the laces with the brutal fade of a golf drive, it seemed to belong to some other artist's collection.
And it was a fitting strike to signal his direct assault on Beckham's record of 18 Premier League free-kick goals.
Ward-Prowse is now outright second on the all-time list having converted 12 free-kicks in the top flight and, given his age, he must surely fancy his chances of overtaking the Man United legend in the coming years.
Of course, his set-piece masterdom isn't limited to direct free-kicks, his corners, penalties and indirect free-kicks are all of the highest standard.
And it's the constant threat he provides from dead ball situations that has made him a viable Dream Team asset in the last two seasons.
Nine goals in all competitions in 2020/21 was his best-ever return though he's on course to break that this term having scored six goals at this stage.
Dream Team bosses keen on backing Ward-Prowse would probably be wise to wait until after the international break as Southampton face Manchester City next weekend.
He currently features in just 2.4% of Dream Teams.
