West Ham United: Behind-scenes Jarrod Bowen development emerges at the London Stadium
Jarrod Bowen has emerged from Declan Rice’s shadow at West Ham to become a “leading figure behind the scenes”, according to Sam Cunningham.
The journalist wrote for i News‘ website on 9 March that a “well-placed source” had indicated the Englishman has taken up a new leadership role at the London Stadium in the wake of the former captain’s exit to Arsenal in the summer.
Along with veteran full-back Aaron Cresswell the ex-Hull City man has stepped up to fill the void while maintaining excellent form on the pitch, which is predicted to put him in the England squad for Euro 2024.
Cunningham wrote: “England manager Gareth Southgate and his assistant, Steve Holland, have been spotted frequently in attendance at West Ham games – not only to watch Bowen, they are keeping tabs on James Ward-Prowse and Kalvin Phillips, but the people I spoke to last week predict the forward will be in England’s Euro 2024 squad.
“Since Noble became sporting director and Declan Rice left for Arsenal, Bowen (alongside Aaron Cresswell) has become a leading figure behind the scenes, taking on more responsibility on and off the pitch. ‘He’s probably come out a little bit out of Dec’s shadow,’ one well-placed source told me.”
Jarrod Bowen tipped for Gareth Southgate’s England squad amid outstanding season for West Ham
The likes of Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus have added some vital quality to this Irons squad but following Rice’s £105million exit [Sky Sports, 15 July] Bowen is clearly the star man.
His greatest goalscoring season in the Premier League already (14 so far) has helped mask the deficiencies in the squad after the failure to sign a striker, and kept things on track despite the continuing uncertainty off the pitch.
David Moyes’ future remains up in the air but if the Scot does go he could easily point to Bowen as his primary success story as West Ham manager, not least since the 27-year-old netted the winner for his crowning achievement on the pitch with the Europa Conference League win.
It would be hugely surprising if the winger wasn’t included in Southgate’s squad for the summer, especially since his form is far outstripping Phillips’ since the Manchester City man’s difficult introduction to the Hammers squad.
This season has still left plenty to be desired after some dismal results and performances, which could yet lead to Moyes departure at the end of his contract, but were it not for Bowen the club would be a lot worse off.
And with Cresswell also bound for the exit in the summer the star man’s off-field role only looks set to get more crucial.
In other West Ham news, Richard Keys is outraged at what the Hammers have done to one man at the London Stadium.
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