It must have been an occasionally frustrating summer for Jarrod Bowen, who initially looked poised to be a key player for England at Euro 2024 before having to watch their strange tournament unfold from the sidelines.
Bowen came off the bench in England’s opening two games in Germany, and nearly made a goal for Harry Kane within seconds of his first appearance at a major tournament against Serbia.
He did not, though, play another minute after the 1-1 draw with Denmark in their second group game, with Gareth Southgate turning to other forwards - notably Cole Palmer - as England made their sluggish way to the final, where they were beaten by Spain.
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“If I sat here and said I was happy not playing... every player wants to play every minute,” Bowen, who is back with England and preparing for the Nations League games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, told Standard Sport.
“But those minutes I did play, I’ll always hold them with me. It’s something no one can take away from me, playing at a major tournament for my country.
“I don’t see it as a negative. I see it as a really good experience I learned a lot from.”
Though he found it “difficult” being away from his young family, for Bowen the Euros was an overwhelmingly enjoyable ride, even as England fell short in a second consecutive final and faced a barrage of criticism back home for their staid performances.
Southgate admitted the outside noise weighed heavily on some of his less experienced players, but Bowen insists he was unfazed.
“You can’t speak for everyone. Everyone would react in a different way if they read something [negative],” the West Ham forward added. “Us players don’t live under rocks, people are on social media.
“But, for me, the camp was full of positivity. The outside noise affects you as much as you want it to affect you.
“Looking back, being involved was really special. It was a really, really top group. Obviously we wanted to win it, but being part of it has stood me in really good stead. I see the summer as a real positive.”
Bowen is now part of a new-look England squad for the Nations League double-header under interim head coach Lee Carsley, after Southgate called time on his eight years in charge, following the 2-1 defeat to Spain in Berlin.
“Gareth was the one who gave me the opportunity to play for my country, right from the first game I played, away at Hungary in the Nations League,” Bowen said.
“He gave me the opportunity to make my debut at Wembley and play in a major tournament. All the caps I’ve got for England are down to him.
“So, obviously, I was sad when he left, but I’m wishing him all the best for the future and I’ll always have time for him.”
Bowen briefly encountered Carsley at West Ham’s Rush Green training ground last season, where he was visiting his former Everton boss David Moyes, but was properly introduced to the 50-year-old for the first time when he reported to St George’s Park on Tuesday.
Carsley led England’s Under-21s to the European Championship last summer, beating Spain in the final with a fluid brand of attacking football, and Bowen says it has been an exciting start under the Birmingham-born coach, who represented Saturday’s opponents Ireland as a player.
“He’s earned the opportunity to be here with what he’s done with the 21s,” Bowen said. “It’s only been a couple of days, but the training we’ve done has been good. It’s been exciting: a new manager, new structures, new ways, new beliefs. And it’s a team that wants to win. That starts Saturday evening.
“It’s down to the games now, we have to go out and perform. It will be a difficult game against Ireland. The Aviva [Stadium] will be a sell-out.”
With Palmer and Phil Foden both withdrawing from the squad, Bowen should get a chance to impress in
Dublin or for Finland’s visit to Wembley next Tuesday, though there is fresh competition from Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, a veteran of Carsley’s U-21 Euros winners.
Bowen believes he is a better player for the experience of Germany, and he has started the season superbly after being named the Hammers’ new captain.
The 27-year-old scored in the wins over Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, and forced an own goal as Julen Lopetegui’s side pushed Manchester City close at the weekend.
“I would never want to take my feet off the gas, I always want to impress and do more,” Bowen said.
“That started as soon as the Euros ended, going back to pre-season, making sure I’m in good shape, making sure I got my body right and had rested enough. And then, when the season starts, just keep performing. I feel like I’ve done that in the first few games. As a player, that’s all you can do.
“It’s got me in this squad. And now I’m here, it’s about applying myself well, and if I do get the opportunity, it’s about performing on the pitch. I feel in a really good place. I’m excited to show it.”
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