Pundit: Jarred Bowen’s West Ham United form not good enough to get him in England squad
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Jarred Bowen shouldn’t be in the England squad for the World Cup this winter because his West Ham form hasn’t been good enough, says Frank McAvennie.
The Hammers winger was called up to the most recent Three Lions squad but didn’t feature for a single minute across the three games, plunging his place in the squad for the World Cup tournament into doubt.
But after scoring his first Premier League goal of the season in the win over Wolves, McAvennie still feels that his form this season hasn’t been good enough to justify a place in the squad although he admits there is still time for him to turn that around.
“No, not at the moment,” he told West Ham Zone. “I think he’s good enough, yeah. In the same form as last year he would be in.
“But they’ve got a wonderful array of talent England, for the midfield. If he were to play the same as he did last year then he’s got a chance but he’s not been doing it this year.
“I’m not saying he’s not been playing well, but he’s not been playing to that level to force his way into the team.
“Liverpool were looking at him. Different people, and he was on the fringes and on Southgate’s radar that’s for sure. But scoring a goal [vs Wolves] won’t have done him any harm.
“He’s still got time because Southgate will have about 19 players that he knows that are going. So there’s three or four spaces and he’s got to try and grab one of those spaces.
“But he’s got to step up. [Saturday] will do him the world of good but there will be other players fighting for these spaces as well, so you’ve got to step up and do it week in and week out.
“On last year’s performances he deserves a spot in the squad. Unfortunately for this season, no.
“It’s the here and now that he’s got to do it. You can’t go off last season unfortunately, but he’s still got time to get in. Hopefully.
“He’s a wonderful talent and a wonderful player.”