Jarrod Bowen should be worried as West Ham line up ‘explosive’ forward managed by Jorge Mendes
Jarrod Bowen has become a strong fan favourite over the years at West Ham.
Few in the Premier League are doing it like Bowen is for West Ham, who is currently the top scorer for the Hammers.
Bowen is one of eight West Ham players called up for international duty and featured as a substitute in England’s 3-0 win over Wales on 9 October.
In the absence of club football, the international break has always been a period for club hierarchies to reconvene. This October period is no different, with the Hammers already thinking up ways to strengthen their squad.
West Ham could sign Adama Traore this winter
Under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo, who replaced Graham Potter, West Ham aim to “add offensive spark and threat from the wings”, according to Fichajes on 8 October.
As a result, it is understood that Adama Traore is a possible winter signing for the Hammers, who intend to sign him from Fulham at the request of Nuno.
Fichajes claims that Traore’s arrival would be “at the express wish of Nuno”.
Indeed, West Ham are under pressure to improve their performance levels and results, and it is uncertain that Bowen will remain as Nuno’s No.1 on the right wing if Traore arrives.
Either way, his arrival will surely prompt some healthy competition between players, and the newly appointed coach will be able to rotate more freely and field different combinations.
Traore, whose agent is the well-known Jorge Mendes, was once admired by Owen Hargreaves for his abilities as a player.
“End product isn’t, probably, his greatest attribute,” Hargreaves said on Premier League Productions in April 2023. “Traore is such a unique player, he’s so explosive and powerful.”
Should West Ham sign Adama Traore?
At first glance, West Ham replacing one of their best players with an inconsistent one seems preposterous.
- Traore netted two goals and provided seven assists in the Premier League last season
- Bowen netted 13 goals and provided eight assists last season
- The West Ham forward has already scored three goals in their 2025/26 campaign
However, a comparison of Traore’s 2024/25 campaign, because he is yet to score this season, and Bowen’s 2025/26 one makes a case for why he’s a potential option.
In simple terms, Traore is more complete than Bowen. He is better with the ball at his feet, passing comes more easily, and he has an excellent read of the game.
Meanwhile, the Hammer’s star is a goalscoring monster who greatly outperforms the Fulham forward on expected goals per game.
Traore’s arrival would diversify Nuno’s options. While Bowen is an excellent goal scorer and should not be benched, West Ham could do with another rotational choice.
But it remains to be seen whether Bowen could end up forcing an exit from West Ham if the competition becomes rife.
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