When Jarrod Bowen arrived at the London Stadium, the Hammers were in dire straits, and for the first three matches after he joined the Irons resided in the relegation zone. It would be the last time that David Moyes’ side occupied a position in the bottom three though, in large thanks to the 23-year-old mid-season signing.
Considering the former Hull City winger began his season blasting in 16 Championship goals, he made a slow start to life in London. But that is only because he had been so electric in the second tier that by the end of a season, one which he had only played half the campaign, he finished level on 16 goals with Andre Ayew, Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Bamford. Genuinely remarkable stuff from the winger.
On his first start at the London Stadium, Bowen picked up where he had left off with the Tigers by scoring against Southampton, but that was to be his only goal West Ham goal, which is quite astonishing considering he managed 52 across two and a half seasons in the Championship.
Although, what most may not have seen coming, given how prolific Bowen was at finishing in the second tier, is that Bowen would become the Hammers’ chief creator. In the last seven matches, the 23-year-old registered four assists, the same he totalled in 46 appearances across the 2018/19 campaign in the Championship.
When it mattered most Bowen found another level of creativity and Moyes’ faith in the January acquisition paid dividends as he provided two of the three goals in the astonishing 3-2 win over Chelsea. One match later he assisted to ensure that West Ham got a point against Newcastle in the 2-2 draw. To top off his excellent run, the winger played a sumptuous back post cross to fellow January arrival Tomas Soucek to double the Irons’ advantage in the must-win clash against now relegated Watford.
If Moyes’ can get Bowen not only assisting at his current rate but scoring as he did in the second tier, then the Hammers have an incredible prospect on their books. At 23, there is still plenty of time for him to adjust further to top-flight football, and a preseason will probably help, but in six months alone Bowen has already rescued West Ham with his stellar creative displays.
