JWest Ham duo Julen Lopetegui and Jarrod Bowen (credit: Imago)

Julen Lopetegui makes baffling 'five years' admission on West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with experience at GRV Media and VAVEL; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Exclusive content, statistical analysis, and deep-dive reporting across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Max utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, exclusive reporting and data-driven insight. He provides the intelligence behind the stories to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

27 Oct 2024, 5:10 am

West Ham fans will be baffled after Julen Lopetegui said current club captain Jarrod Bowen will be a better captain in five years.

The 27-year-old was named as skipper over the summer to replace the outbound Kurt Zouma who joined Al-Orobah FC in Saudi Arabia.

It hasn't been the dream start to life with the armband for the forward considering the team's poor run of form under Lopetegui at the London Stadium.

The Spaniard clearly backs his captain but his latest comments, transcribed by the Sunday Mirror (27 October, page 63), will baffle supporters.

He said: "I'm sure he is going to become one of the legends at the club, but he has to work to do it his way. He is young but has the perfect profile for captain.

"He's trying to learn the work of a captain because it is different. But this is normal. You become captain at your best moment, but he'll be a much stronger one after five years."

Julen Lopetegui says Jarrod Bowen will be a better West Ham captain in five years

Given the form that the Hammers have shown to begin this campaign, it is strange for the manager to admit that one of his best players will be better in five years' time.

The ex-Hull City star has scored over 60 goals since joining the club and also scored the winning goal to secure a UEFA Conference League title.

His experiences for the Irons saw him trusted to be the club captain and with two goals and two assists in eight games so far this season, it appears he has taken it in his stride.

As a result, Lopetegui suggesting that he has the qualities to be a positive skipper but won't be at his best level for five years is just baffling.

Bowen is already a top Premier League operator and Hammers fans acknowledge how important he already is as a player and a leader.

The former Real Madrid boss has come under fire already during his time in East London and these sorts of comments won't help.

West Ham need to find their feet again, especially after a poor 4-1 defeat against Tottenham which hasn't reflected well on the manager.

In other West Ham news, a source close to Tim Steidten has issued a Julen Lopetegui sack update.

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