National media react to West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen after England cameo v Serbia
West Ham ace Jarrod Bowen was involved as a late substitute as England beat Serbia in their opening match of Euro 2024 on Sunday (16 June).
Jude Bellingham scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at the AufSchalke Arena, heading home a cross from Bukayo Saka after just 13 minutes.
Bowen replaced the Arsenal man with just 14 minutes of the match remaining but left the pitch leaving a good impression, nearly setting Harry Kane up for a second, an effort that was tipped onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.
Reacting to his short cameo, the Metro [16 June] handed him a 7/10 rating, while The Independent [16 June] were slightly harsher with a 6/10 rating, writing: “Perhaps a surprise to see Southgate turn to Bowen ahead of other options, but the West Ham winger so nearly created a second goal with his first touch.”
Sky Sports [16 June] agreed with the 7/10 rating, writing: “Many cried “Bowen?!” when he was preferred to Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon as a wide replacement.
“But then the West Ham winger beat his opposite number and set up Kane brilliantly to strike the bar. Southgate appears to trust him, that’s why he travelled.”
West Ham United represented as Jarrod Bowen impresses for England
While Gareth Southgate was always going to start Phil Foden and Saka on the two flanks, Bowen has certainly done his chances of a start no harm.
The 27-year-old’s entrance to the pitch raised a few eyebrows, with the Three Lions trying to close out the 1-0 win to go top of Group C, though he nearly assisted a second as Kane was denied.
With 20 goals and 10 assists in all competitions for the Irons this season, Bowen is a livewire down the right-hand side and is capable of deputising as a centre-forward, though that is unlikely to be needed.
Southgate has his favourites when it comes to England, so Bowen must do everything he can to persuade the manager that he can be trusted with a start at the tournament, rather than take up a spot on the bench each game.
Following his cameo against Serbia, and the next match against Denmark, Southgate has a big decision to make about whether the West Ham ace will come off the bench again or make a bigger impact from the first whistle.
In other West Ham news, the club have set a date for a new forward signing, with a player already identified.
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