Jarrod Bowen's Resilience and Return to the England Squad

 Jarrod Bowen's Resilience and Return to the England Squad

Jarrod Bowen of England talks to the media during a press conference at St George's Park on October 10, 2023 in Burton upon Trent, England.(Image-Getty)

West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen has channeled the disappointment of being left out of England's 2022 World Cup squad into a powerful motivation that has elevated his performance to the "best football" of his career, leading to his return to the England national team.

Although he is now part of England's squad for an upcoming friendly against Australia and a European Championship qualifier against Italy, the 26-year-old faced the heartache of not making the World Cup squad despite earning all four of his England caps in the lead-up to Qatar.

Bowen expressed his feelings, stating, "I was disappointed to miss out, but that's what happened. I had to deal with it, and all I could do is keep playing football at the level I know I can play at, and everything will take care of itself."

His exceptional form and motivation came to the forefront during a strong pre-season, marked by goal-scoring performances, which instilled confidence and momentum in his game. He emphasized the importance of playing with joy, noting that it brings out the best in him.

This has indeed been a remarkable period for Bowen, with a recent call-up to the England squad and the signing of a new seven-year deal with West Ham. His impact at West Ham is evident in his 45 goals across 167 games, including a crucial winner in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina in June.

Bowen has been a standout performer for West Ham in the Premier League this season, leading the team with five goals.

An appearance at Wembley would be the ultimate achievement for Bowen, as he noted that playing for the national team is a childhood dream come true.

Furthermore, Bowen shared how becoming a new father has added a level of maturity to his life. He and his partner, Dani Dyer, welcomed twin girls in late May, and he highlighted the balance between his professional life and family life. Being a father has brought him a special sense of excitement and joy, both at home and after games.

Bowen is now looking forward to the opportunity to represent his country at Wembley, a momentous milestone in his football career.