Pundit confused at Jarrod Bowen England snub, hopes West Ham United man can now kick on
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…
Frank McAvennie was left confused by Gareth Southgate’s decision to snub West Ham star Jarrod Bowen for the latest England squad.
The Three Lions boss decided not to call up the Hammers winger for the recent matches against Ukraine and Scotland.
England drew 1-1 in Euro 2024 qualifying with the former on Saturday (9 September), before defeating the latter 3-1 in a friendly on Tuesday (12 September).
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “I was a bit confused about Bowen not getting picked. England must have a really good team.
“There are players like Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips and Harry Maguire. That’s three players that people like Bowen could have got in ahead of.
“What has he got to do? He’ll be disappointed, but hopefully it will kick him on.”
Bowen is somewhat of a late bloomer when it comes to international football, with his fellow wingers Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden, for example, already in the England squad at a much younger age.
The West Ham ace has four England caps to his name, and was definitely unlucky not to have had the opportunity to add to that total this month.
The Three Lions have a friendly with Australia in October, as well as a Euro 2024 qualifying match with Italy, with Southgate potentially turning to Bowen then as he looks to impress once more in the England dugout.
In other West Ham news, Rio Ferdinand has continued to question the international treatment of a Hammers duo.