West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen has been called up to the England squad for the first time after a brilliant season in claret and blue.
England face Hungary twice as well as Germany and Italy, all in the Nations League this international period with Bowen set to make his debut.
The 25-year-old has spoke about achieving his dream, his incredible journey from non-league football as well as the approaching World Cup in Qatar, Declan Rice’s future and the brilliance of David Moyes.
West Ham star Jarrod Bowen has described recieving his first call-up to the England squad saying “It means everything.”
Speaking in a press conference, Bowen said being in the England team is:
"“Everything you dream of when you’re growing up and to get the call, obviously it is an honour and a privilege.” “I love watching my country, so it will be a little bit strange when all my friends are in the pub watching the games and hopefully I’m participating. “I’ve got to take my hat off to myself for where I am now”"
Bowen began his career at non-league club Hereford before moving to Hull City. West Ham would eventually sign him after he lit up the Championship and Bowen has gone on to become one of the best players in the Premier League and England boss Gareth Southgate could no longer ignore his quality while other attackers like Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are out of form.
On his journey to stardom, the West Ham ace said:
"“The dream of playing for England seemed a million miles away when I was playing for Hereford. “I didn’t have any dreams (of this) as you don’t think of someone from Hereford getting the move to Hull in the first place. “It was just playing week in, week out for my local team in the Conference and sometimes I just look back at where I’ve come from, especially being in the England camp now.”"
This call-up feels like it has been a long time coming for Bowen. He picked up an ankle injury in March, while he was as the Hammers fans say ‘on fire’ rulling him out of contention for the previous England matches. Bowen reflected on that setback:
"“It’s great to be in now, having been injured for the games in March. “When I did the injury, I knew it was a bad one at the time. As soon as I knew I’d be out, I kind of accepted it – I didn’t know I was going to be in the squad, I knew there was talk and I might have been close but it happened for a reason. “I just had to get fit and continue in the form to get me into this camp now.”"