‘I didn’t think I would turn pro – now I want to win the World Cup’ | Football | Sport

Jarrod Bowen reckons his remarkable mental strength can propel him all the way to the World Cup. The West Ham captain, 28, insists he has defied expectations throughout his career after doubting whether he would even turn professional. Bowen narrowly missed out on reaching the “pinnacle” after failing to secure a spot in the Qatar 2022 squad, but he is determined to seize his chance this time around.

The England attacker climbed through the non-league ranks at club level, and credits that resilience as the driving force behind his hunger whenever he represents his nation. Bowen, who impressed during his latest outing in Albania, explained: “It’s similar to my West Ham mindset. Since I started playing football back at Hereford I’ve always had the same thing – I never thought I would play professional football, that’s the bottom line.

“I came up from Hereford, came up from the Conference, never thought I’d be stood here talking about my 20th cap.

“It’s knowing what I can do and when I’m with England showing the manager what I can do in the time I do get. I was happy with the performance.

“It is the pinnacle of any player’s career to be playing at the highest level. I was lucky to experience a Euros and a World Cup would be that extra step.

“I missed out last time and another one is around the corner. For me, it is about showing what I can do every single day in training. If I can be the best team-mate I can be and be the best version of myself every day.

“Now we are going back to club level and it is important I don’t take my foot off the gas. It is a long time until the next camp in March so I want to keep my form going for my club.”

Bowen completely understands that his role at a major tournament may well be as an impact substitute, offering an alternative to Bukayo Saka or other more established wide players.

Yet he also made it abundantly clear that, despite his underdog mindset, he firmly believes he deserves his place in the squad.

Bowen added: “It can be overwhelming with England but you need to tell yourself you’re not here to make the numbers up, you’re here on merit for what you’ve done on a consistent level. So for me it’s every time you get an opportunity, showing what you can do.

“What I’m up against is Bukayo, Noni Madueke is injured for this camp, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden can all play there – you’re talking about world-class, elite players, and I’m in the same category as them.

“All I’m trying to play well week in, week out at club level and if I get the opportunity with England every day in training is an opportunity to impress and if you get the minutes – it may be five minutes – but try and make a difference, try and show something and put it into a positive.”

Bowen has also embraced Thomas Tuchel’s message about the vital role substitutes play at tournaments and the ability to change matches from the bench. Tuchel is attempting to cultivate a formidable pool of impact substitutes as he seeks to deploy multiple attacking options from the bench.

The Three Lions secured consecutive victories against Serbia and Albania during this international window, with replacement Eberechi Eze finding the net after coming on in the opening fixture.

This represented precisely the approach that Tuchel has been demanding, and Bowen explained: “I did see his comments. We speak about it as a group because ultimately if we want to be a winning side we need people to make a difference from the bench.

“It might only be five minutes, 10 minutes – Ebs (Eze) came on the other day and scored the goal to make it 2-0 and the game was done.

“I think the competition – really pushing each other every single day – and then when it comes to the games if you get your opportunity you know you’ll be ready because you’ve been training at a really high level.

“That breeds success in a really good squad and we’re seeing the benefits of that.”