Former England international Darren Bent has explained why he ‘feels sorry’ for Jarrod Bowen during the March international break.
Bowen is expected to start for the Three Lions against Japan on Tuesday in the absence of Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke.
This should provide the West Ham goalscorer with a perfect opportunity to impress Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup this summer.
However, Bent insists Bowen has every right to feel aggrieved by a dilemma that not every England player faces.
Will Jarrod Bowen make England’s World Cup squad? 🏆
Tell us why in the comments…
West Ham star Jarrod Bowen registered an assist in England's 5-0 win over Latvia
Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images
Jarrod Bowen faces ‘unfair’ West Ham and England dilemma
Eight players have dropped out of England’s squad for the friendly against Japan on Tuesday, including Saka, Madueke, Declan Rice and John Stones.
Apart from Madueke, none of them are thought to be dealing with serious injuries that will keep them out of their next club fixtures.
Instead, Tuchel has taken the precaution of giving them a break, presumably because he already knows whether they will go to the World Cup.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
Especially for Arsenal and Manchester City players, another reason is keeping them fresh for the crucial run-in in the Premier League title race.
However, Bowen has an equally important final seven games of the season, with West Ham’s top-flight status on the line.
Choose between club and country… 🤔
Jarrod Bowen celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Republic of Ireland
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
But the 29-year-old cannot afford to drop out of the England squad because his place at the World Cup is far from guaranteed.
Bowen’s situation can only be described as ‘unfair’, as he probably needs to impress Tuchel against Japan to ensure he goes to the United States.
“[Harry] Kane, Declan Rice and [Bukayo] Saka – they’re going to the World Cup. It’s a fact. They’ve already got their plane ticket,” Bent explained on talkSPORT.
“Someone like Bowen is fighting tooth and nail to get in the squad. So, on one hand, he needs minutes for England to show the manager, ‘I’m good enough to go to the World Cup.’
“Secondly, the club he has been absolutely incredible for, West Ham, needs him, and he’s their most important player for their survival chances. And he has a big game coming up against Wolves at home.
“So in his mind he’s thinking, ‘I’ve played a lot of minutes for West Ham, and a break would be nice, but I can’t afford that because I’m not one of those players who are secure enough to go, ‘I know I’m going to be in the squad.’ He has to play really well.
“On the flip side, he’s probably thinking, ‘I’d like to be fresh for West Ham because we’re in a relegation battle,’ so it is a little bit unfair, and that’s why I do feel sorry for these players.”
Unfortunately for Bowen, he has no choice but to knuckle down and push through his fatigue against Japan before returning to West Ham.
Perhaps, if he does start for England on Tuesday night, Nuno Espirito Santo might decide to bring him off the bench against Leeds in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox