Why the success of Jarrod Bowen could have an impact on future West Ham signings

Jarrod Bowen started for the first time for West Ham against Southampton on Saturday in an impressive 3-1 victory. Bowen scored his first goal for the Hammers and was awarded Man of the Match.

Jarrod Bowen has shown West Ham’s fans, manager and ownership exactly why Premier League clubs should be targeting young, hungry players from the Championship. On Saturday Bowen put in a miraculous performance that helped West Ham to clinch a crucial victory against an in-form Southampton side.

Bowen played on the right of a 4-4-2 formation and thrived. He often picked up the ball in the final third and drove at the Southampton defence looking to cut in on his left at times, Arjen Robben-esque. Unlike Robben however, Bowen is incredibly two-footed and looked as if he could cause danger from either side.

The young Englishman took his goal well with a chipped finish over onrushing keeper Alex McCarthy and continued to show his attacking talents in the second half. Equally as impressively, Bowen has an immense engine and desire to win the ball back and often tracked back to perform crucial tackles against Southampton.

This drive and focus is seemingly unapparent with some of the players that West Ham have picked up from the continent in the past few years highlighting the value of quality Championship players who seem to do the hard side of the game effectively at a more reasonable price.

More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham

• Brighton vs West Ham predictions: Can James Ward-Prowse help end the curse?
• West Ham and two Premier League rivals made huge transfer stand
• Lucas Paqueta bet allegations discussed in West Ham and Man City transfer talks
• Bournemouth vs West Ham predictions: Premier League opener amid transfer chaos
• West Ham near Denis Zakaria transfer after final James Ward-Prowse bid

West Ham should, therefore, learn from the early successes of Jarrod Bowen by picking up some more of the Championships top talents in the summer. Some people may argue that it may take players from a lower division time to adapt to the quality of the Premier League especially if they are young but in actual fact, the difference in quality between the first and second flight is smaller than ever and the gap is ever decreasing.

On top of this, players such as James Maddison, Fikayo Tomori and Todd Cantwell have shown that they can perform well in both divisions so surely West Ham should base their transfer strategy around some of the diamonds in the rough that the Championship has to offer.

One positive is that Grady Diangana is on loan from West Ham at West Brom and has been outstanding in the Championship this season, he could easily perform to a high level in the Premier League based on his performances this season and will be a fantastic option for West Ham on the wing next season.

Another attacking player West Ham should be looking at is Ollie Watkins from Brentford. He has scored 22 goals this season and can play as a striker or on either wing, he has a certain physicality about him that suggests that he would thrive in the Premier League and at the age of 24 he will be looking to make the step up soon.

David Moyes is already interested in Watkins and is looking to sign him this summer. Watkins could play next to Haller in a 4-4-2 or on either wing, he could also be a useful squad player and make a big impact in the final third of games.

Another player West Ham should be looking to sign is Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United, it may take a lot of money to sign him from the Yorkshire side especially if they are promoted but it would be worth it. Phillips is an excellent passer of the ball and has an incredible engine due to Marcelo Bielsa’s high-intensity football. He could fit in perfectly next to Declan Rice next season or if Rice were to move on in the Summer he would be the perfect replacement.

Phillips is also tough in the tackle and can transition the ball into the final third with ease, he would be an excellent signing for West Ham and at 24 years old he will improve to be a great player.

Therefore, West Ham should learn from the success of Jarrod Bowen by signing some more of the Championship’s best players in the Summer as they clearly have what it takes to improve a Premier League side and can be a good way of planning for the future.