Bowen Gives Southgate Much to Ponder

How good it is to see Jarrod Bowen receiving praise following his excellent cameo appearance for England against Serbia last night.

Bowen was introduced as the game had started to drift away from England following a confident first-half display. However, there can’t have been too many who would have expected England gaffer Gareth Southgate to call upon the West Ham man when there were possibly more fashionable options on the bench.

But Bowen surely exceeded all non-West Ham fans’ expectations by immediately creating a golden opportunity for Harry Kane following a trademark piece of wing trickery. It was typical Bowen and the sort of skill to which Hammers fans have become accustomed.

Bowen has surely now placed himself firmly in the manager’s thinking as the first ‘in case of emergency break glass’ substitute and has gone from squad filler to reliable threat for Southgate.

The Three Lions manager still has much to ponder, in particular, how to get the best out of Phil Foden. The Manchester City player is clearly talented, but perhaps there is not room for him and Jude Bellingham in the same team? It’s a nice problem to have, but Southgate only has to look at the history of England managers who have tried and failed to accommodate talented players in the wrong positions.

A tough decision may have to be made; however, Southgate is spoiled for choice. And should he need to call upon West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen again, he can do so confident in the knowledge that Bowen is ready and able to deliver on the top stage.