Jarrod Bowen’s World Cup spot under threat despite what West Ham star said in September
Nuno Espirito Santo will place a lot of pressure on Jarrod Bowen to continue performing for West Ham.
Bowen is a shining light for West Ham, and already showed his importance for Nuno as he scored in West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Everton.
Nuno doesn’t have many attacking options, as Niclas Fullkrug has suffered yet another injury and Callum Wilson is not seen as a starting striker.
Youngster Callum Marshall has been tipped for a West Ham start, but star man Bowen is the player who will likely carry the Hammers through to the January transfer window.
Bowen has performed well while away with England over the international break, but it doesn’t mean his starting spot at the World Cup next year is guaranteed.
Jarrod Bowen rivals Bukayo Saka for England spot
Bowen is naturally a right-winger who can also play as a striker, but with Harry Kane as England’s all-time top goalscorer, Bowen’s real competition is on the right flank.
England have the likes of Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer that can play on the right.
Thomas Tuchel opted to start Saka on the right in both of England’s emphatic victories against Wales and Latvia, as Bowen made two appearances from the bench.
Bowen himself admitted in September that he understands the level of competition he faces for an England spot.
“Attacking is probably the best options England’s had for a few years now,” he said, as quoted by ESPN. “I’ve been in and out of squads for a couple of years and always had that competition for places, and I think it’s really good. I think it really brings the best out of you.
- Bowen played 20 minutes off the bench against Wales
- The West Ham star got 30 minutes in a 5-0 win over Latvia
- He grabbed the assist for the final goal of the night, securing England’s spot at the 2026 World Cup
“I think for me it’s a really big year. I’ve got a really big year at club level and then also international level as well. You know there’s a World Cup around the corner.
“So, I think for me, being back in the squad is just trying to show what I do at West Ham, week in, week out. I think that’s all that I can do.”
However, in a piece written for the Daily Mail, journalist Craig Hope said Bowen’s place in England’s World Cup squad is “vulnerable” due to the competition he faces for a starting spot.
It is said that he could yet lose his place in the squad should a returning star or a new talent emerge between now and next summer.
West Ham to benefit from Bowen’s England competition
Bowen himself said that the competition will bring out the best in him, and that’s already proving to be true for West Ham this season.
With Nuno now at the helm, his traditional counter-attacking style of play will only suit Bowen more, as it won’t be a surprise to see the forward net a bucket load of goals before the end of the season.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 8 | 3 | 1 |
Bowen averages a goal contribution every other game despite West Ham suffering under Graham Potter for the opening of the season.
West Ham fans should be excited, as Bowen with a point to prove is a dangerous man.
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