Jarrod Bowen surely a shoo-in for England's Euro 2024 squad as West Ham heroics continue
There are 22 days to go until Gareth Southgate names his provisional squad for Euro 2024 — and the England manager is meticulously weighing up his final decisions.
By now, though, he is surely past the stage of deliberating over whether to include Jarrod Bowen. The West Ham forward was the best player on the pitch at London Stadium on Saturday, scoring the Hammers’ first and assisting their second as they drew 2-2 with Liverpool.
Hammers boss David Moyes said last week that his team are the most attacking West Ham side in years. Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta have certainly played their part this season, but Bowen’s consistency is a level above.
Addressing his Euros hopes, Bowen said after the Liverpool game: “I know I’ll have to have a big end to the season.”
Here was the ideal starting point. His header from a first-half corner was his 16th Premier League goal of the season, matching Paolo Di Canio in 1999-2000 as a West Ham record.
It was also his 20th goal in all competitions — the first Hammer to achieve that feat since Teddy Sheringham and Marlon Harewood both did so 19 years ago. After 13 goals in 54 West Ham games last season, Bowen has 20 in just 42 this season.
Bowen’s cross for Michail Antonio’s equaliser on Saturday was inch-perfect and was his 10th assist of the season. In goals and assists, he is now posting the sort of numbers that prompted West Ham to fork out £22million to sign him from Hull in January 2020.
Southgate has surely now seen enough. Bukayo Saka is a shoo-in to start on the right wing, and Cole Palmer’s blistering form at Chelsea should see him in, but Bowen must also be included after UEFA voted last week to expand squad sizes from 23 players to 26.
Outstanding in England’s 2-2 draw with Belgium in March, he showed that night he has matured greatly since some subdued displays in his first England games back in June 2022.
Bowen is also versatile, with Moyes pointing out: “He’s played probably three quarters of the season as a wide player and a quarter of it as a No9.”
It has often been said of Marcus Rashford that his biggest plus-point in an England squad is his ability to play both out wide and up front. With Rashford struggling and Bowen flying, perhaps a changing of the guard is due.
And Bowen has also worked tirelessly on the less polished parts of his game. Last season he did not score a single header, yet goals like Saturday’s are no longer a surprise.
“I hate to say it, but he’s really good in the air,” said Moyes.
