There are still a few targets to tick off on Jarrod Bowen’s West Ham United bucket list and, fortunately, one of the finest forwards in the Premier League still has plenty of time on his side.
Should the captain replicate his tally of 13 goals from last season, he will overtake Michail Antonio as the most prolific Premier League scorer in West Ham United’s history.
The prospect of Jarrod Bowen adding another weapon to his personal arsenal, meanwhile, is not only something to haunt the nightmares of top-flight full-backs, but also something which should help him reach that magic target of 69.
Bowen has been working on improving his right foot. A fearsome thought indeed. Taking into account his thrilling pre-season strike against Manchester United, with his so-called weaker boot, it’s clear to see all that hard work is paying off already.
But there is another, less individual honour that Bowen hopes to secure before he rides off into the East London sunset.
Jarrod Bowen celebrates during Manchester United FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Jarrod Bowen would love to win the FA Cup with West Ham United
Speaking to the club’s official website ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener away at Sunderland, the man who fired West Ham to Europa Conference League glory back in 2023 has a place sitting vacant on his mantelpiece for another trophy.
The Hammers have not felt the cool silver of the FA Cup since the days of John Lyall, Alan Devonshire and Trevor Brooking.
But, inspired by Crystal Palace’s stunning Wembley triumph over Manchester City a few months back, Bowen would love nothing more than to end West Ham’s near-half-decade wait to get their hands upon English football’s oldest prize.
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“I have got one thing that I would love to do here at the club, and that is I’d love to win the FA Cup!” Bowen says with a yearning smile.
“Growing up, watching football, it’s the most prestigious cup competition and there have been some brilliant stories through the years.”
Not only did Ebere Eze’s first-half strike secure Crystal Palace their first-ever major trophy, it also brought European football to Selhurst Park. Albeit, not quite the competition Oliver Glasner was hoping for.
“To see Crystal Palace win it last year and what it means for them as a club and the fans, with the celebrations they had, I really enjoyed seeing it,” Bowen adds, happy to put his allegiances to one side in favour of the greater good.
“Because it was a moment for them that they might not have expected to happen.
“Obviously, I would love to win the Premier League and play in the Champions League, but something that I’d love to do this season is win the FA Cup!”
Anton Ferdinand backs Graham Potter to secure a top-half finish for the Hammers
West Ham have only reached the final once since Trevor Brooking’s iconic winner against Arsenal 46 years ago. Pepe Reina’s penalty shoot-out heroics, and a couple of trademark Steven Gerrard piledrivers, broke Hammers hearts back in 2006, their most recent appearance in the showpiece.
For Anton Ferdinand, one of those who missed from the spot against Rafael Benitez’s Reds, the focus this season should be on making belated strides under Graham Potter.
Ferdinand can envisage a top-ten finish for West Ham too, providing the new signings settle, the youngsters make their mark, and Potter can translate an impressive pre-season onto the league format.
“I think it’s going to be tough, like for most clubs this year,” Ferdinand tells talkSPORT. “But I’ve got full confidence in Graham Potter and the squad he is assembling. We have got a lot of players who are going to feel like new signings this year, and I’ve got faith.
“[Pre-season was] really, really good. We’ve got some good young players coming in. Freddie Potts could go into the middle of that midfield and really stake a claim of being a first-team player this year.
“You know, doing things the ‘West Ham way’, which is going through the academy. Something we all want to see as fans.
“I hope that what [Potter] has put into the players, we get to see week-in, week-out. If we do, we’ll be OK. I think top ten. If we finish in the top ten, I will be very, very happy.”