Julen Lopetegui says West Ham have a player on their books who is ‘always ready’ when they need him
West Ham kickstarted their season in the perfect way ahead of the international break by hammering newly promoted Ipswich yesterday.
The start under Julen Lopetegui has come in for some criticism at times but against Ipswich, the Hammers looked close to being back to what the fans expect.
Four goals and a solid all around performance showed that West Ham can indeed be a threat under their new manager.
Of course, for Lopetegui to have any success as Hammers boss he needs his star men to perform.
One of those men is forward Jarrod Bowen, who was snubbed by England this week but set up two and scored another in yesterday’s 4-1 win.
And speaking about Bowen, Lopetegui has lauded his forward.
Julen Lopetegui praises Jarrod Bowen
Speaking to the Evening Standard after seeing his side beat Ipswich, Lopetegui was quick to point out the influence Bowen has on his team.
“The best way to show your disappointment as a player is this,” Lopetegui said on Bowen.
Bowen unlucky to be around in a period of immense talent
Jarrod Bowen is one of the premier forward players in the English game. He has been so good for West Ham for so long that he’s hard to ignore.
However, he’s also around at a time when England have such an array of talent that in reality, he has to be playing his absolute best football week in, week out, to get a chance.
Unfortunately, with Lee Carsley now looking at young options like Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke, his time might be up with England for a bit.
Still, that could be to West Ham’s gain and if they have a fit Jarrod Bowen all season, then they’ll not be too far off where they want to be.
TBR understands that pressure is rising on West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui already amid a testing start to the new campaign.
Liverpool, meanwhile, won an eighth game out of nine as Arne Slot’s team beat Bologna in the Champions League in midweek. A ninth victory in ten would arrive three days later as Diogo Jota fired the Reds past Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
And, on the subject of historic stars, Monaco have flown out of the blocks themselves in the first few weeks of 2024/25.
Adi Hutter’s side might have been a little unconvincing last time out, defeating a struggling, ten-man Strasbourg by the odd goal in three. But with five wins and a draw from their six Ligue 1 matches, this is now officially Monaco’s best start to a top-flight campaign since 1960/61.
