[Jarrod Bowen](https://www.claretandhugh.info/time-to-free-bowen-england-struggles-show-why-he-must-return-to-the-wing/) has been an ever present since his foot fracture – remember those dark January days when he was sidelined for a month? The Hammers’ captain’s leadership style is more ‘lead by example’ rather than ‘blood and guts up and at ’em’: Frequently aired (_yes, sometimes by me)_ has been the opinion that a more vociferous, snarling persona is needed to drag the team back when times get tough.
However nobody ever doubts his commitment to the West Ham cause and brilliant contribution. Thirteen goals and ten assists this season. How Thomas Tuchel sees fit to leave him out of the England side is beyond me.
Yesterday Bowen exhibited a classy side and read the room and the occasion perfectly. Not only did he score with a stunning strike – again – and lay on James Ward-Prowse’s opener with some tenacious pressing, but at the end of the game had the presence of mind after almost 90 minutes of endless running to think of others making their last farewells.
When Aaron Cresswell got onto the pitch in the last minute – who was there to selflessly remove his captains’ armband and invest Cresswell for his last few minutes ? Bowen’s gesture was both sincere and moving to watch and shows both the respect in which ‘Cressie’ is held and the decent, classy leadership that Jarrod Bowen now provides.
Hats off to Bowen, great leadership: Just the right way to enable a Hammers true servant to end his career.