**In recent weeks, the lack of respect for Jarrod Bowen and his ability outside of West Ham appears to have hit new heights.**
The end of another Premier League campaign is fast approaching. With this year being a World Cup year, talk amongst fans has turned to who should be on that plane and named as part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
A variety of names have been thrown into the mix. Two in particular that have sparked debate, and which many, rather surprisingly, feel deserve to be in contention are Arsenal’s Max Dowman and Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha. A podcast clip that gained traction on social media saw three content creators suggest they would rather take the latter as a “wildcard” ahead of Bowen.
Since Dowman scored his first Premier League goal for the Gunners, social media has been rife with posts suggesting the 16 year old should be named in the England squad. The conversation has grown to the point where major outlets have covered it, and the question has even been put to Tuchel himself.
The England boss refused to rule out the possibility of either Dowman or 17 year old Ngumoha going to the World Cup. For many, that would come at Bowen’s expense. When publishing predicted World Cup squads, countless journalists have left him out.
Dowman and Ngumoha deserve huge credit for breaking through and earning opportunities at clubs of that level. It also speaks volumes about their talent that they are being discussed in this context, given Dowman is still at school and Ngumoha is of college age.
Suggesting either should go to a World Cup, a tournament England will be aiming to win, ahead of an experienced, proven Premier League performer who has the most goal contributions of any English player in the Premier League this season is disrespectful to Bowen. It diminishes the level of output he has maintained over a number of years, during which he has consistently delivered at the highest level.
Beyond his lack of respect from outside the club, Bowen has, at times, become a victim of his own success among sections of the Hammers fan base. Across his previous six seasons at West Ham, Bowen has recorded 20 or more goal contributions in four of them.
He is the club’s highest goalscorer of the 21st century. In a season where West Ham have spent much of their time locked in a relegation battle, the club captain has still produced an impressive 17 goal contributions in all competitions.
Yet much of the discussion around him in recent months from parts of the fan base has focused on his “below par” performances, with some going as far as labelling him a “disgrace”.
These criticisms exist for two main reasons. The first is the weight that comes with wearing the armband. The second is the consistently high standards Bowen has set in a West Ham shirt. This is a campaign in which, as fans have come to expect, he remains by far the Hammers most productive player in a below par season for the club. He is on course for yet another 20 goal contribution campaign, yet for many he is only a third place pick for Hammer of the year.
Whether it’s rival fans suggesting the inclusion of teenagers, the media overlooking him, or parts of his own support underappreciating him, the narrative around Jarrod Bowen has become increasingly detached from reality. England should be valuing proven, consistent performers over untested potential. His omission from the World Cup conversation is truly baffling.
West Ham’s struggles this season may play its part in the thinking, but Bowen is not a player who should be fighting for recognition. As one of just five players to have hit 10+ goal contributions in each of the last six Premier League seasons, his consistency alone warrants inclusion. He should be on that plane without question.