Keeping Jarrod Bowen Is West Ham’s Biggest Signing

By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)

The news that Jarrod Bowen is going to stay at West Ham is massive.

In fact, it’s bigger than any potential signing the Hammers could have possibly made.

Why?

Because Bowen is a top-quality player.

Last season, in a struggling team that was relegated, he still managed to register the second-highest assist tally in the Premier League.

That’s not just the eye test. That’s a statistic which demonstrates the player’s quality.

And, as his father-in-law Danny Dyer rightly said, Jarrod will rip it up in the Championship.

Danny Dyer Delivers The News Fans Wanted

It was Danny himself who delivered the news every West Ham fan had been desperate to hear and, let’s face it, he’d know better than anyone.

Speaking to TalkSport, journalist and fellow West Ham fan Ian Abrahams, Dyer said:

“He’s [Bowen] a very great, loyal man. Whatever decision he makes, or made, I would have supported him. I don’t think he’s going anywhere, and I think he will rip up the Championship, don’t you worry yourself about that!”

Music to my ears.

And I wholeheartedly agree.

As I’ve maintained for some time, I’d expect Bowen to comfortably be the best player in the EFL, and retaining him is a huge statement of intent.

Retention Can Be Better Than Recruitment

As West Ham fans, we can all expect and demand ambition and, for most of us, that ambition is measured by the players a club brings in through the transfer market.

But it’s difficult to think of any signing in the Championship that would be more ambitious than keeping Jarrod Bowen.

His first touch, decision-making, finishing and ever-improving set-piece deliveries are going to be a nightmare for Championship defenders.

If he wasn’t already considered a West Ham legend, choosing to remain at the London Stadium will surely cement his place in the club’s folklore.

For whatever role Danny Dyer has played in persuading his son-in-law to remain at the club, I’m hugely grateful.

There are many football clubs with celebrity supporters, and I’ve often thought West Ham have more than most.

In this instance, I think we’re very fortunate to have Danny Dyer on our side because his love for the club has never been in doubt.

West Ham might be getting off to a slow start in the transfer market, but when it comes to the club’s ownership delivering on their promise to keep key players, there really is nobody more important to retain than Jarrod Bowen.

That, for me, is the ultimate statement.