By Louis Nixon
**Jarrod Bowen has recently backed himself amongst the likes of Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden**.
The West Ham winger was talking regarding his chances at being selected for Tomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup Squad.
Bowen has recently been criticised in regards to England yet many have also questioned as to why he isn’t getting game time, his opportunity came along against Albania where he finally recieved his first start, in which many did believe that he was one of the better players on the pitch for the majority of the match.
Since the Albania match, he’s come out backing himself amongst squad selection for the future.
“What I’m up against is Bukayo, Noni is injured for this camp, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden can all play there – You’re talking about World-Class elite players and I’m in the same category as them.”
Considering Bowen’s confidence he’s accumulated through his consistent form at club level, it’s no surprise to see him coming out with statements regarding his performances and publically exclaiming his confidence.
Jarrod also claims he aims to give Tuchel & Bukayo Saka a ‘headache’ when it comes to team selection and challenging for the number one spot, as the West Ham captain simply doesn’t want to be a fringe player, and can you blame him!
He did admit that Harry Kane’s shoes are “big shoes to fill” if he were to say that he was better than him, but he then explain that Tuchel does acknowledge his ‘versatility, hunger and drive’ that Bowen has over other options, which you’d infer from that he could likely be selected come the World Cup squad assuming that he would continue his League form which he has done since he arrived at West Ham.
He’s a winger who’s backing himself, and can you blame him? A winger who’s going through the phase of his prime and there’s a World Cup campaign coming up, you’d be concerned if he seemed nervous or didn’t back himself.
We’re lucky to have Bowen at our club, and it’s great to see him striving on the confidence that he’s accumulated and backing himself amongst the elitists, which we all believe.
Let’s hope he makes the squad for the World Cup!