Bowen’s ‘Unplayable’ Form Gets Noticed by Southgate
West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen has been in sensational form this season, catching the attention of England manager Gareth Southgate. The winger-turned-striker has been a revelation under the guidance of West Ham boss David Moyes, scoring 14 goals in the Premier League and even achieving his first career hat-trick in a recent match against Brentford.
Moyes took a bold decision earlier in the campaign to deploy Bowen as a central striker, a move that has paid off tremendously. The player’s impressive goal-scoring record has undoubtedly helped alleviate some of the pressure on Moyes, who faced criticism following a string of disappointing results for West Ham.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank described Bowen’s performance as “unplayable,” highlighting the player’s exceptional skill on the pitch. This recognition couldn’t have come at a better time for Bowen, as Southgate is now in the process of selecting his squad for the upcoming European Championship in Germany.
Moyes believes that Bowen’s ability to play both wide and in a central role makes him an attractive option for Southgate. “If you can play wide and you’re a goalscorer, you will be of interest to the international manager,” Moyes stated. He also mentioned that some of Bowen’s recent standout performances may have gone unnoticed due to West Ham’s lack of victories.
Bowen’s 14 goals this season place him among the top scorers in the Premier League. He is currently level with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke, just one goal behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and three behind Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
It is worth noting that Bowen recently emerged from a seven-game scoring drought, making his recent hat-trick all the more impressive. The match against Brentford was the first time this season that Bowen scored more than once in a game. Despite his smaller stature, the player managed to convert even a rare header into a goal.
Speaking about his hat-trick, Bowen expressed his pride and satisfaction. “I’d never got the hat-trick before. It was on my mind,” he revealed. He also acknowledged that there is still room for improvement in his new role as a striker. “I’m always learning. With my energy, I’m always trying to press. It’s difficult. I’m 5ft 9in and up against big centre-halves. I’ve got to know what I’m good at and what I’m not good at. I’m trying to learn a new position in one of the best leagues,” Bowen explained.
With his recent goal-scoring spree, Bowen is determined to continue increasing his tally and impress Southgate ahead of the European Championship. As Euro 2024 approaches, all eyes will be on the young English talent as he seeks to secure a spot in the national team.