From playing in non-league with Hereford to winning the European Conference League, its been quite the journey for West Ham's Jarrod Bowen. With 11 goals in 19 matches in the Premier League this season, as well as scoring 54 goals since signing for West Ham in 2020, and his famous dramatic 90th minute winner against Fiorentina in June in the European Conference League final, will Jarrod Bowen be regarded as a West Ham legend when all is said done?
Life started like a dream for Jarrod at the beginning of his West Ham career, after a goal on his debut against Southampton after his £18m move from Hull City. He racked but 4 assists this season, making it 5 goal involvements win his first 13 games for the club.
Bowen then began his Sophomore season with a brace against Wolves, as well as goals against Leicester and Aston Villa. He rounded off the season with 8 goals and 6 assists, playing a pivotal part in securing West Ham European football alongside the likes of Jesse Lingard. Jarrod Bowen became a staple in that West Ham side.
The 2021/2022 season was a real breakout season for Jarrod Bowen. Securing 12 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League, Jarrod played a crucial role in West Ham's 7th place finish, and their Europa League campaign, with key goals in the group stages and, especially, against Lyon in both legs of their quarter final to round off a memorable result for West Ham. He also came up trumps in West Ham's pursuit for another season in Europe, with key goals, including a brilliant brace against Manchester City, which so nearly knocked them out of the title race. Jarrod Bowen really gained recognition this season and rightly so, and this resulted in himself receiving a call up to the England Squad for the first time.
The next season was a tame one in the Premier League for Jarrod, as well as for most of the team. An underwhelming Premier League campaign left them fighting for safety, but a late surge of good results left them finishing 14th. He finished his Premier League campaign on 6 goals and 5 assists, but this was far from West Ham fans concerns when the Conference League final came around...
Bowen's last minute winner gave West Ham their first major trophy since 1980, and their first major European trophy since 1965, ending a 43 year wait for silverware and a 58 year wait for European silverware. His goal meant West Ham fans had a trophy to celebrate, which, 4 years prior, would've felt impossible, given West Ham's position. The boy from non-league football led Premier League West Ham to their first trophy in 43 years.
This season, Jarrod Bowen is back to his best, with 11 goals in 19 games in the Premier League and being 4th top scorer, with many important goals, including against Manchester United and Tottenham, to keep them in 6th place through January. He also made history by becoming the first player to score in his club's first 7 successive away games of the season.
If Jarrod can continue at this pace and carry on delivering magical moments for the club like in June, I don't see why he can't be a club legend when the time comes. What a player he is, and we for sure wouldn't be where we are without him.
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