'He's come on leaps and bounds': Carlton Cole has spotted big improvement in 25-year-old West Ham player

By Rory Godier

After joining West Ham from Hull in January of 2020, no one really knew what to expect from Jarrod Bowen.

He had scored goals in the Championship and was a hero to many of the faithful MKM stadium, playing a big role in keeping Hull in the Championship in the 2018/19 season.

In the Premier League, however, he was unproven and had come in at a desperate time, with the Hammers facing relegation.

He did well, notching 5 goal contributions in 13 matches which would prove crucial as West Ham beat the drop by 5 points.

Fast forward 2 years and he has become the key man at West Ham.

With 19 Premier League goal contributions in 29 games, he has become the conductor for much of the Hammers’ output.

Speaking to TalkSport, former striker and West Ham cult hero Carlton Cole has heaped praise upon the Hull native.

“He’s a top top player”

“He’s starting to believe in himself and the (West Ham’s) style of play, he’s an integral part of that team now” said Cole

“When I’m looking at him, I’m thinking, wow you’ve come on leaps and bounds”

It’s a big compliment to Bowen that Cole values him so highly, but he is not the only one who has taken notice of Bowen’s high level of play.

Bowen is starting to turn heads

According to The Athletic and The Daily Mail, Liverpool hold a long-term interest in Bowen and his recent performances have done nothing to dissuade them of that.

Jurgen Klopp has already mentioned Bowen’s name in numerous press conferences. It feels as though it will only be a matter of time before a top 6 club comes in to test West Ham’s resolve.

There is hope for West Ham fans in their hopes of keeping Bowen as Cole believes that the West Ham players have fully bought into Moyes’ vision for the club.

“The team’s actually starting to look like his (Moyes) old Everton team, they’re hard to play against”

“He’s got his stall set out and everyone is starting to get on the same page in believing that West Ham are there to stay”

These are encouraging words for Hammers fans as as an ambassador and employee for West Ham, Cole has insight into the side not many others have. They will hope that they apply to the talismanic Bowen as well

TBR View: if West Ham want to sustain their improvement, Bowen will be critical

Carlton Cole is right about Bowen, he has improved massively and as his star has risen so has club’s.

If they want to stay where they are it will be critical that they keep him.

If they can convince him to reject the advances of Liverpool and Klopp, they will have a player they can build around for years to come.

At 25 years old he is poised to complete an ascent to stardom, Moyes must make sure it is at West Ham.