Danny Dyer has launched a passionate defence of son-in-law Jarrod Bowen after the West Ham captain was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup, reports BritPanorama.
Bowen’s omission has become a major talking point since Tuchel announced his final squad; the 29-year-old missed out despite having played regularly for England leading up to the tournament. This decision followed a challenging season for Bowen, who could not prevent West Ham from suffering relegation after 14 years in the Premier League.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Dyer expressed his strong belief that Tuchel erred in his selection. He characterised the decision as “ridiculous,” asserting that Bowen deserved a spot on the flight to the United States. “We were half booking flights. That’s how confident we were. Then it turns out he got the call saying no,” Dyer lamented.
Continuing to advocate for Bowen, Dyer praised his character and suggested that the England squad may regret leaving him out. “He’s got a big heart and he should be on that plane,” he stated. He further pointed out, “Without Jarrod, they’re going to be pony. They’re going to struggle.” Dyer’s concerns extend to England’s chances against Croatia, forecasting difficulties in their opening match.
Bowen’s consistent performances added to the frustration surrounding his exclusion, as he scored nine goals and provided 11 assists throughout a turbulent campaign with West Ham. Prior to the squad announcement, he participated in six of England’s eight matches, positioning him as a firm contender for a place in the final squad.
As the Three Lions prepare for their first match without him, Bowen faces a personal setback, compounded by the pressure of captaining West Ham during their relegation battle. Having become an integral player since his arrival in 2020, he could not avert the team’s drop to the Championship, making his future a point of interest in the upcoming summer transfer window.
With speculation about Bowen’s next steps and the fallout from Tuchel’s decision, the narrative intertwines talent, expectation, and the harsh realities of professional football. In the end, it serves as a reminder of the thin line between selection and exclusion at the highest level, where even the finest can find themselves on the wrong side of the coach’s decision.
