Jarrod Bowen produced another outstanding season in the colours of West Ham United and deserves his England Euro 2024 call.
Gareth Southgate had one of the most difficult jobs in picking and axing players because there is so much competition.
West Ham fans would have feared at the possibility of Jarrod Bowen getting axed, especially when news started breaking that James Maddison was going to be snubbed, and then Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.
England played two friendly matches before flying out to Germany on Tuesday. Beating Bosnia and Herzegovina in an unconvincing manner, before losing to Iceland.
When news of Maddison getting axed broke, many felt that would be the biggest shock, but then Gareth Southgate took it to another level by leaving Jack Grealish at home.
But, according to Wayne Rooney, if it was up to him, then he would have selected the Manchester City star, as he told The Overlap.
And West Ham fans will be angry to hear, but he would have left Bowen at home because the balance of the squad would have been better with Grealish, as he explained.
Jack Grealish axed by England for Euro 2024
“No,” responded Rooney on if Maddison should have gone to Euro 2024. “To be honest, I probably agree with all the decisions.
“I think if Harry Maguire is fit, then I think he goes and he plays. Grealish, I would have taken him, if I am being honest.
“Bowen on the right. You have got Saka. They have got Cole Palmer and Bowen. Foden can play out there. I would have taken Grealish instead of Bowen. Just to give a bit more balance. Something a bit different as well. And Branthwaite was the one, for me, just the balance of the backline. Big lad. Good on the ball and had a good season. I think, for me, I would have taken him.”
Jarrod Bowen’s stats
The 27-year-old scored 20 goals in all competitions and supplied ten assists for a West Ham team that struggled during the recently concluded campaign.
It’s a big reason why David Moyes left, but despite all of that, Bowen’s form was still consistent and he still managed to score 16 league goals.
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You also need to take into account that Southgate is a defensive manager, just like Moyes, so if Bowen can succeed in the Scotman’s system, then there’s no reason why he can’t transcend that onto the international stage.
That’s why it’s unfair to suggest that he shouldn’t have gone because Bowen can also play as a centre-forward, so that’s another reason why it was the right call to select him in front of Grealish who only scored three goals all season long.
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