West Ham United: Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer expect Jarrod Bowen development
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have suggested that West Ham star Jarrod Bowen should be named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming European Championships this summer.
The former England strikers suggested some top-class players will have to miss out entirely, such is the abundance of quality available for selection.
Bowen, however, was named as one who should be in the squad after his impressive season at the London Stadium since switching to a more central role.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast [4 March], Lineker shared: “Obviously, Gareth [Southgate] has got a hell of a pool of players to choose from, which is a nice problem to have. There will be one or two really top-class forwards missing out.”
Shearer then put the Hammers’ striker’s name forward: “Bowen is another one, he’s having a great season playing a lot of his game down the middle. He’s scoring a lot of goals as well.”
Finally, Lineker suggested a potential role for him: “Bowen could tag in and give the possibility of using him as the utility, third striker option after [Harry] Kane and [Ollie] Watkins who I think are already there.”
Will West Ham star Jarrod Bowen receive an England call-up?
Southgate is set to name his next England squad on 7 March as he prepares to face friendlies against Belgium and Brazil, and with those the final two fixtures before the Euros, the squad could indicate what the final selection will look like.
In terms of strikers, Kane and Watkins are essentially nailed-on which would suggest Bowen would only be a third-choice option there.
On the wing, however, Southgate must choose from the likes of Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish – all of whom have mounted strong claims to be involved.
Bowen will need to see off competition in both positions, but it is his versatility that may land him an improved chance, while the form of Sterling and Grealish in particular could also come as a boost, despite the pair being mainstays in Southgate’s squad.
With 14 goals and three assists in the Premier League so far this season, it feels like now or never for Bowen in terms of an international call, and the manager will be left with a difficult decision to make.
In other West Ham news, Shearer has gushed over another Hammers star after what he did.
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