If Jarrod Bowen sounded like a man keeping all his options open following West Ham United’s exit from the Premier League, well, that may be because he’s exactly that right now.
A man keeping all his options open.
The Hammers skipper initially described such talk as ‘disrespectful’ when asked, following Tottenham’s crucial 1-0 victory over Everton, if he had just played his final match in the iconic claret and blue shirt.
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Jarrod Bowen would then lift the mood ever so slightly when indicating that his ‘vision’ is to bring Premier League football back to West Ham United for 2027/28.
Manchester United were linked with Bowen a few days ago. Liverpool are long-time admirers and Chelsea have been mentioned as well by the media. The captain has stayed loyal for so long but, if offered the choice between Championship and Champions League football, his loyalty will receive its most serious test yet.
“It’s disrespectful to everyone to start speaking about futures and saying what’s going to happen,” Bowen said before offering a glimpse of hope.
“I want this club to be in the Premier League. It’s a club that means so much to me, that’s given me so much, so my vision is getting this club back in the Premier League.”
Jarrod Bowen leaves fans hopeful of West Ham United stay
Not quite a statement of intent. Not quite a guarantee. As one fan writes on X, ‘such a confusing answer. Can’t tell whether he stays or goes’.
But this is something, something to hang your hat on. If Bowen turns down enticing offers from elsewhere, one only wonders what sort of an example that could set for Crysencio Summerville, Dinos Mavropanos, El Hadji Malick Diouf and co.
“Can see him staying,” a more optimistic supporter writes as trips to Lincoln, Bolton and Bristol loom.
“Is he actually staying?!”
“If he stays and gets us up, build him a statue.”
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Bowen is a West Ham great. A place among the immortals, though, could yet be his too.
“If he stays and takes us back up he goes above Bobby [Moore].”
“Already a West Ham legend, but we will need a statue if he stays and gets us up.”
“He’ll stay if he’s got some integrity.”
“Bowen, we are proud of you. You’ve given your all. Now, please stay.”
One suspects this will be a message repeated plenty of times over the coming weeks and months, not just by the fans but by many within the club too.
“I really don’t mind losing most of our players but I really hope Jarrod stays. A new owner and a more attacking manager would also be nice.”
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