West Ham star Jarrod Bowen looks set to get a rare start for England in what will be his big final audition to make Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad after a big twist.
Celebrity West Ham fan Danny Dyer conveyed the feelings of his fellow Hammers when he questioned why Bukayo Saka automatically starts for England over his son-in-law Jarrod Bowen this week.
Bowen and Saka are in direct competition for that spot on the right-hand side and the West Ham talisman’s statistics are more than a match for Saka’s – despite playing in an inferior team.
Tuchel even started Saka’s Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke ahead of Bowen in the friendly against Uruguay, before the Hammers captain replaced him on 38 minutes after he picked up an injury.
Bowen set for rare England start after withdrawals
There has been a major twist in the England camp in the days since, though.
Now West Ham star Bowen has his World Cup place on the line with a rare start looking highly likely against Japan on Tuesday night.
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West Ham star Jarrod Bowen registered an assist in England's 5-0 win over Latvia
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Eight players have left the England camp ahead of the friendly against what is a quality Japan side.
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The list includes Madueke, former Hammers skipper Declan Rice and that man Saka, who have all returned to Arsenal for medical assessments.
Jarrod Bowen playing for England against Uruguay.
Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images
The Japan match is England’s last before Tuchel names his final World Cup squad by the deadline of May 30th.
With the withdrawals, West Ham ace Bowen looks almost certain to start for the Three Lions.
And the pressure will be on to impress Tuchel and make the plane for the World Cup.
Of course Bowen’s performances for West Ham during the last seven games will have some bearing.
Bowen in line for final audition for Tuchel’s World Cup squad
Although the winger’s form for the Hammers is arguably his worst in six years at the club, even if he does continue to work his socks off for the team.
Bar one or two impressive cameos, Bowen has failed to really grasp the nettle when given England chances in the past.
Why is Jarrod Bowen struggling when we need him most?
A graphic asking West Ham United fans what can be done about Jarrod Bowen's form.
Credit: Getty Images/Molly Darlington/Copa
This looks likely to be the West Ham captain’s big chance against the Japanese and he cannot afford to waste it.
England have a friendly against Costa Rica in June, as a pre-World Cup warm-up game but the squad will have been named by then.
England v Uruguay - International Friendly
Photo by Alex Davidson – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Tuchel has made it clear he is a fan of Bowen, who has been in and out of England squads under the German, Gareth Southgate and Lee Carsley.
Former West Ham boss Graham Potter confirmed Bowen was overlooked by Tuchel for his second squad selection last summer amid rumours he was left out due to his wedding plans.
Hammers News exclusively revealed at the time that West Ham were furious with Tuchel over his Bowen snub.
Because Bowen offered to move his entire wedding to make himself available for England duty – not once but TWICE.
Despite the selfless offer, Tuchel opted to leave West Ham’s main man out anyway.
He has been part of his plans since, though, and will be hoping to cement his place on the plane for the USA by showing what he can do against Japan.
While everyone connected with West Ham will want to see him do just that, the main concern in east London is that Bowen comes back to Rush Green unscathed.
The Hammers have an FA Cup quarter-final with Leeds after the break followed by a crucial must-win Premier League clash with Wolves a few days later.
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