England star Bowen details his secret weapon in bid to realise World Cup dream
West Ham star Jarrod Bowen is firmly in the conversation to be awarded a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for next summer’s World Cup and has now opened up on his chances of making it
Jarrod Bowen believes his incredible mindset can carry him all the way to the World Cup. West Ham captain Bowen, 28, says he has battled the odds in his own mind throughout his career because he never thought he would even make it as a pro.
Bowen missed out on reaching the “pinnacle” when he failed to make the cut in Qatar in 2022 but is ready to make up for lost time and grab his opportunity. The England forward worked his way up through non-league at club level and he says that determination is why he always looks so hungry when he plays for his country.
Bowen, who starred in his latest audition in Albania, said: “It’s similar to my West Ham mindset. Since I started playing football back at Hereford I’ve always had the same thing – I never thought I would play professional football, that’s the bottom line.
“I came up from Hereford, came up from the Conference, never thought I’d be stood here talking about my 20th cap.
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“It’s knowing what I can do and when I’m with England showing the manager what I can do in the time I do get. I was happy with the performance.
“It is the pinnacle of any player’s career to be playing at the highest level. I was lucky to experience a Euros and a World Cup would be that extra step.
“I missed out last time and another one is around the corner. For me, it is about showing what I can do every single day in training. If I can be the best team-mate I can be and be the best version of myself every day.
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“Now we are going back to club level and it is important I don’t take my foot off the gas. It is a long time until the next camp in March so I want to keep my form going for my club.”
Bowen fully accepts his role at a major tournament could be from the bench to challenge Bukayo Saka or other more established wide players.
However, he also made it clear that, despite his beat-the-odds mentality, he also feels as if he belongs in the set-up. Bowen said: “It can be overwhelming with England but you need to tell yourself you’re not here to make the numbers up, you’re here on merit for what you’ve done on a consistent level. So for me it’s every time you get an opportunity, showing what you can do.
“What I’m up against is Bukayo, Noni Madueke is injured for this camp, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden can all play there – you’re talking about world class, elite players and I’m in the same category as them.
“All I’m trying to play well week in, week out at club level and if I get the opportunity with England every day in training is an opportunity to impress and if you get the minutes – it may be five minutes – but try and make a difference, try and show something and put it into a positive.”
Bowen has also bought into Thomas Tuchel’s comments about the importance of substitutes at a tournament and winning games from the bench.
England boss Tuchel is trying to build his own Pom squad from the bench as he looks to bring on a raft of forwards. England enjoyed back-to-back wins over Serbia and Albania in this camp with substitute Eberechi Eze scoring from the bench in the first game.
READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel makes ‘easy’ Jude Bellingham admission after England star makes feelings clearREAD MORE: England break record after scrappy World Cup qualifying win in Albania – 5 talking points
That was the mentality that Tuchel demanded and Bowen added: “I did see his comments. We speak about it as a group because ultimately if we want to be a winning side we need people to make a difference from the bench.
“It might only be five minutes, 10 minutes – Ebs (Eze) came on the other day and scored the goal to make it 2-0 and the game was done.
“I think the competition – really pushing each other every single day – and then when it comes to the games if you get your opportunity you know you’ll be ready because you’ve been training at a really high level. That breeds success in a really good squad and we’re seeing the benefits of that.”
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