Speaking on the BBC Football Daily podcast, journalist Luke Edwards has been speaking about West Ham United’s impressive start to the new campaign.
David Moyes’ side climbed up the table again on Sunday evening with a mighty performance against Liverpool, which saw them claim the points in a 3-2 victory at the London Stadium.
Should Bowen have been selected for England?
Yes
No
One player in particular who has caught the eye for the Hammers this season has been Jarrod Bowen, who has been able to contribute six goal involvements in the Premier League in his 11 appearances (via Transfermarkt).
There was some talk of the 26-year-old potentially being a candidate for Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, however, the winger did not receive the call-up.
Discussing Bowen’s impressive start to the campaign, Edwards had the following to say on the winger who signed for the Hammers back in 2020 from Hull City, stating that he has perhaps defied expectations since making the step up to the top flight.
“A lot of clubs looked at him when he was at Hull and he was scoring a lot of goals for Hull in the Championship. And I know a lot of scouts went to see him.
“But a lot of people went to see him, the top clubs, and they just said, ‘oh, I don’t really know what he does’. You know, the kind of feedback that came back was ‘he’ll get you a goal, but that’s in the Championship’. Lots of scouts went there and said, ‘I don’t think he can transfer that to the Premier League. I don’t think he’s going to bring those goals from a wide position’.
“He’s quite a stocky physique as well, isn’t he? He’s not a typical athlete. And I think a lot of people brushed over that, but he was signed, if you remember, to keep West Ham up. He came in that January when they were really struggling when Moyes was first there.
“Newcastle looked at him for a long, long time and decided against it because the club wouldn’t sign off the money, but what a wonderful signing he’s has been.”
TIF Thoughts on Bowen’s start to the season…
We have been seriously impressed with West Ham, on the whole, this season and we think Bowen has certainly played his part in their success.
Bowen shone on Sunday night against Jurgen Klopp’s side, adding another two assists to his tally as the Hammers leapfrogged the Reds into third spot.
Although Bowen was not included in the England squad, this should not upset the West Ham fans as their man will now be able to remain with Moyes and continue to work with the Hammers staff ahead of their clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Bowen has three goals and five assists across all competitions this season and we think the Hammers will be relieved they were able to beat the likes of Tottenham Hotspur to the winger, with the Lilywhites reportedly showing interest in him whilst playing with Hull.
In other news: ‘I checked it out with the club’ – Ex reveals Ben Johnson ‘contract situation’