There are real signs of positivity at West Ham this season, with David Moyes and the first-team squad overcoming a lack of recent transfer activity to have a strong start to the 2020-21 Premier League season.
While reinforcing the Hammers’ defence was seen as a major priority for the club in the summer window, the Irons boss also had decisions to make in attacking areas.
West Ham are not blessed with number nines, but one area of the pitch where they have plenty of options is in attacking wide areas.
Despite the likes of Andriy Yarmolenko, Manuel Lanzini, Felipe Anderson, Robert Snodgrass and others competing for a starting place in the Hammers side on the flanks, Jarrod Bowen has become an integral part of Moyes’ starting XI.
The 23-year-old former Hull City man has started all 12 of West Ham’s Premier League games this season, scoring four goals and laying on two assists for team-mates.
Bowen was again an important player in Friday night’s 2-1 win away to Leeds United and is a major reason that West Ham’s average odds to win the Premier League are dropping.
Many players struggle to make the jump up from the Football League to English football’s top flight, but the skilful forward has shown that he has all the qualities to excel at this level.
While fellow West Ham attacker Michail Antonio took time to settle into the Premier League club, Bowen has almost immediately had an impact for the London club.
The 23-year-old’s pace, trickery and excellent final product make him a devastating attacking weapon for the Hammers and his link-up play with Antonio this season has been a real highlight for Moyes’ men.
When looking to find future transfer targets, Bowen should be a blueprint for the Hammers and the supporters will hope that loan addition Said Benrahma can have a similar impact for the club once he gets to grips with his new environment.
The next step for Bowen is to show real consistency in helping decide games in West Ham’s favour and if he continues his bright form throughout 2020-21, a potential call-up to the England squad for Euro 2021 is not out of the equation.