West Ham United

West Ham United

Premier League • England

Richards names West Ham player as influential as Rice and destined for England glory

Manuel Lanzini, Jarrod Bowen Tottenham v West Ham October 2020

Micah Richards feels midfielder Jarrod Bowen is a vital part of the West Ham success story and backed him to play for England at this year’s World Cup.

Bowen, 25, has been turning heads with his displays for the Hammers this season. The talented schemer made his name at Hull City before moving to the East End in January 2020. He made 13 top-flight appearances for West Ham during the second half of 2019-2020.

And David Moyes used him in every Premier League match as the London Stadium outfit finished sixth last term. The ex-Hereford United star started 30 and has been given the nod in 18 of 19 league encounters in 2021-2022.

He has helped the capital outfit to fifth in the standings as they chase an elusive Champions League spot. Bowen has played a full part, with three goals and seven assists to his name.

He has yet to feature for the Three Lions but Sky Sports pundit Richards believes that may soon change.

“This may seem an early call – a big and bold one, too – but the West Ham forward is my dark horse to make England’s World Cup squad,” he wrote in The Daily Mail, per West Ham Zone.

“I’ve been watching him closely for a long time and the more I see of him, the more he impresses me.”

Bowen no longer in stars’ shadow

And the former Manchester City defender feels the Herefordshire-born ace has flown under the radar to a certain extent.

West Ham and Newcastle both in for Patrik Schick

West Ham and Newcastle both in for Patrik Schick

West Ham and Newcastle have both been linked with Patrik Schick

“West Ham are having a fantastic season. But it feels like the only players who get singled out regularly for praise are Declan Rice and Michail Antonio,” he added.

“Bowen is just as big a part of it all and has been liberated by not having the pressure of needing to score all the goals, as was the case at Hull.”

Moyes tactics getting best out of Bowen

West Ham look a different side with Moyes now back for a second spell. They sat in the top four for a long spell this term before a dip in results.

The Hammers had won one in seven before beating Watford 4-1 on Tuesday. There is still plenty of time to hunt down fourth-placed Arsenal.

And Richards feels they have a manager who knows how to get the best out of his charges.

“In David Moyes, he has a manager who will keep squeezing improvement from him,” he continued. “I’ve been told by those who have played under Moyes that he would often hold back on giving his players praise, as he wanted them to keep their feet on the ground and keep them hungry.

West Ham manager David Moyes during their Europa League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb

“Those qualities are leaping out of Bowen, who was one of six players to assist more than 10 goals in 2021. Expect his progress to continue.”

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