Jarrod Bowen is a nailed-on starter for West Ham United, but the same cannot be said for the England national team. Despite his consistency at club level, the Hammers captain has yet to establish himself as a regular in Gareth Southgate’s or Lee Carsley’s starting line-ups for England.
Bowen, now 27, has gone from strength to strength since his £20 million move from Hull City in January 2020 (BBC).
Over the past few seasons, he has firmly cemented his reputation as one of the Premier League’s standout performers, playing a pivotal role in West Ham’s success.
With 62 goals and 39 assists in 206 appearances across all competitions for the East London club, Bowen’s contributions have been immense.
His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, and he’s now under contract at the London Stadium until 2030, with many expecting him to become a West Ham legend.
Yet, for all his club heroics, Bowen has struggled to become a regular starter for his country.
He was particularly unlucky not to be given more game time during England’s European Championship campaign in Germany this past summer.
Despite a strong season, Bowen was limited to cameo appearances, unable to make the mark he so clearly desires on the international stage.
Even so, Bowen showed his potential when he was used as a striker by Carsley in England’s 2-1 win over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, albeit in a brief six-minute spell. Bowen looked sharp and lively, eager to make an impression, but with so little time on the pitch, it was always going to be a challenge.
Bowen himself has expressed his frustration with the lack of opportunities. Speaking to the Evening Standard, he said:
“If I sat here and said I was happy not playing, I’d be lying… every player wants to play every minute.” It’s clear that Bowen wants a greater role in the national set-up, and his disappointment at being given just a few minutes against Ireland is understandable.
Given Harry Kane’s inconsistent performances for England of late, and the fact that Bowen is in better form than some of his attacking counterparts, it is easy to sympathise with his frustration.
Anthony Gordon, for instance, has yet to prove himself at the highest level, while Bukayo Saka seems to feature in every match, much to the dismay of Arsenal supporters.
Surely now is the time for Bowen to be given a proper run in the England team, with a chance to prove himself over three or four consecutive starts.
Only then will we truly know if he has what it takes to lead England to success. As it stands, it feels unfair that Bowen hasn’t been afforded that opportunity, despite his strong performances for West Ham.
Both Carsley and Southgate have promised that players in form for their clubs will be rewarded with starts for the national team.
If Carsley is true to his word, Bowen will be given his chance when England face Finland on Tuesday. For Bowen, it’s a long-overdue opportunity to show that he belongs on the international stage.