Man City boss Guardiola: Southampton captain Ward-Prowse best in the world | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Southampton's James Ward-Prowse is the best free-kick taker in the world.

Ward-Prowse is a renowned dead-ball specialist, with his delivery from set-pieces causing opponents all sorts of problems.

Former Barcelona boss Guardiola has worked with Lionel Messi - also an excellent set-piece taker - but the Spaniard believes Ward-Prowse is the best he has ever seen.

"There is no better taker," he said.

"Southampton have the best free-kick taker I have ever seen, or at least he is in the world right now.

"He is so good that maybe you miss a little bit of the footballer player. He is a team player of great quality, without the ball and with the ball.

"He really understands the game but it is his free-kicks, set-pieces, and corners that people pay more attention to."

Guardiola was speaking before his side's game against Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday.