Credit: TalkSPORT/Imago

Cameron Smith

Thu 7 May 2026 9:10, UK

Michael Owen has accepted he may upset West Ham United fans with his comments on Jarrod Bowen.

The winger has been an integral figure for the Hammers since arriving from Hull City in 2020.

Having taken the captain’s armband in recent years, Bowen has been talismanic for the Irons during their European success and remains their go-to man in the current relegation battle.

However, the East London club’s Premier League future remains in doubt after they were dumped back into the bottom three last weekend.

As a result, the skipper’s future is also uncertain, and Owen has admitted he would love to see Bowen at Liverpool.

Michael Owen sees Jarrod Bowen as ideal Mohamed Salah replacement

It has been a slightly underwhelming season for West Ham’s talisman, though that could be said for many at the London Stadium. Bowen, however, has still continued to deliver in the final third.

With Mohamed Salah’s time at Liverpool set to come to an end this summer, the former striker believes there is only one man to replace him.

“If I had one player,” he said, speaking to talkSPORT. “Now obviously Jarrod Bowen’s a legend of a player, West Ham, you know, adore the man, and rightly so. But, if West Ham went down, he would fit for me. I think he’s absolutely brilliant.

“I was lucky enough to do like a striking master class for a TV show we did last season with him, and I couldn’t believe it.

“Honestly, left foot, right foot, bang, bang, corners, pace. I mean, a real top finisher.

“I think he’s a brilliant player. I would be taking him to the World Cup, and, as I say, you know, I don’t want to upset West Ham fans, but if they went down, then he would be my idea of somebody to replace Salah.”

Registering 3,589 minutes, Bowen is irreplaceable out on the flank for the Hammers.

Even on an off day, he is the one man capable of conjuring something from nothing, and it is ever so crucial that Nuno Espirito Santo gets the best out of him as they strive for survival.

Bowen has earned his place as one of West Ham’s best

Since his 2020 move, the wideman has continued to grow in both importance and popularity at the London Stadium.

Now one of the Premier League’s most recognisable names, Bowen is a talismanic figure for West Ham, who has cemented his place as one of the club’s best.

Scoring 84 times and laying on 62 assists for the club, the relatively low fee of around £20million has proven an absolute steal.

Alongside this, he scored potentially the biggest goal in Irons history, as he sealed the Conference League title in 2023.

If the worst were to happen and Nuno’s side fell down a division, Bowen could leave with a well deserved icon status.

However, the skipper still has a big role to play in the final weeks of the season, and there would be nobody more fitting to be the man to lead the Hammers to safety.