Former West Ham defender Paul Konchesky has urged Nuno Espirito Santo to stop changing where Jarrod Bowen plays in the front three.
Over the past three games, the club captain has played on the right flank, as a number 10 and as a main striker. However, Konchesky says the Hammers should learn from how Bukayo Saka is deployed by Arsenal:
“I think he’s been lost a little bit at West Ham at the minute because they don’t know if they play him on the right, they play him up front, they play him as a 10. I think he’s better on the right. I think he makes things happen.”
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“You see, Saka, he plays on the right and the right only and you know what you’re going to get and he’s just so comfortable doing it.”
Bowen’s adaptability can sometimes be a curse
Unfortunately, Nuno does not have much room for manoeuvre in terms of selection choices. While Callum Wilson can be used up top in most games, he is not able to play every few days.
Considering Bowen’s ability to play in multiple positions, it stands to reason that he would be the one to switch roles, especially as he is willing to do a job for the team as captain.
West Ham need to sign a striker
To ensure that Bowen stays on the right flank for the rest of the campaign, reinforcements will need to be brought in up front.
A new no.9 is a top priority for the January transfer window, but it is not clear at the moment who the primary target is.
Both Al-Hilal’s Ivan Toney and Union Saint-Gillioise’s Promise David have recently been ruled out as potential options. Other names being looked at include Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli, Coventry’s Haji Wright, Norwich’s Josh Sargent, Parma’s Mateo Pellegrino and AC Milan’s Santiago Gimenez.
Read more about the West Ham First Team Squad for 2025/26 here