Jarrod Bowen outlines how West Ham United are coping with ‘impossible’ task after Declan Rice sale
Jarrod Bowen insists West Ham had an “impossible” task on their hands during the summer transfer window when trying to replace Declan Rice.
Rice joined London rivals Arsenal in a £105million deal in June, bringing an end to the midfielder’s decade-long association with the Hammers.
West Ham used the money to bring in Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse, who have each taken no time at all to settle in at London Stadium.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s VIBE with FIVE podcast [26 September, 13:20], Bowen praised the pair for helping United move on from Rice.
“I was gutted, but it was always the saga every window: ‘was Dec going, was Dec not going?’,” Bowen said. “To replace Dec is impossible.
“You see what he does for England, what he’s doing for Arsenal – his quality speaks for itself and he’s shown even more people what he can do.
“But we have always bought the right people to fit the dressing room. The manager is really tight on that culture in the dressing room to bring out the best results.
“Who we have brought in, with Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse, it looks like they are been there for five years.
“Everyone has made them feel so welcome. It’s a club which is easy to get into a group, which is why they have hit the ground running.”
Impressive stuff
Not only did West Ham sign Alvarez and Ward-Prowse in the summer, they also used the money to help bring in Mohammed Kudus and Konstantinos Mavropanos.
On that basis, selling long-serving fan favourite Rice for a nine-figure sum has turned out to be the right call.
Alvarez has played in five of West Ham’s six Premier League matches this season, starting four of those, while Ward-Prowse has started five times.
Former Southampton player Ward-Prowse has certainly made an impact, having scored twice and assisted five more in all competitions.
Alvarez has quietly gone about his business under the radar, meanwhile, helping United to 10 points from their first six matches.
Rice has also taken no time at all to settle in at Arsenal, so this is one of those transfers in which everyone involved has benefited in some way.
In other West Ham news, a presenter has singled out a United player with a “painfully simple” verdict after something he saw last weekend.