Jarrod Bowen in big chance to stake World Cup claim in fight with Arsenal duo | OneFootball

West Ham star set to start against Japan after Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke dropouts

This time last year, after Thomas Tuchel began his England reign with a 2-0 win over Albania and 3-0 win over Latvia to kickstart World Cup qualifying, Jarrod Bowen approached the new head coach and had a word.

Here was an admission from the West Ham captain that he had not left Tuchel with the first impression he had intended. Here, also, was a clever play by Bowen to try to convince the German to unleash him in matches against sterner opposition, where he felt he could have greater influence.

While the following 12 months have not gone exactly in line with Bowen’s plan, he has the chance tonight against top-20 opposition in Japan to leave a lasting impact on Tuchel in the final England game before he names his World Cup squad.

Bowen came off the bench in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay

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After his chat with Tuchel, Bowen was left out of the next squad. And while featuring in five of the seven internationals since, he has started only two of the seven games he has played under Tuchel; just seven of his 21 total appearances for England have been starts.

His task is not an easy one, of course. Vying for the right-wing position, he is up against Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, whose early returns to Arsenal on Saturday due to injuries mean Bowen is in line to start against Japan this evening.

It is a difficult spot Bowen finds himself in. Saka is out of form, and criticism has started to creep in over recent seasons on the grounds that he has perhaps become somewhat shackled, more predictable, easier to defend against.

And yet still it is unthinkable that Saka does not start for England at the World Cup this summer. Madueke, meanwhile, is the most direct and skilful option on the right - thus adored by Tuchel - but clearly sits behind the more polished Saka, just as he does for his club. Dropping Arsenal’s poster boy has been a radical step too far for Tuchel.

Then there is Bowen, no doubt fully aware that he risks being the dreaded 27th man, the most unfortunate of all to miss out on a seat on the plane, if he cannot clamber above Madueke or - and this feels highly unlikely - Saka in the pecking order.

To his credit, he is doing all he can at West Ham to force Tuchel’s hand. The German admitted yesterday that the “pure numbers of our players [in attack] - except for Harry [Kane] - are not the outstanding numbers we would normally expect. I would love them to have more numbers.”

Bowen has been in good form for West Ham this season

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When he then went on to cite the players he expects to be posting more goals and assists than they are, Saka and Madueke were both mentioned, as were Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Phil Foden.

Not singled out: Bowen. For good reason. In a season of attacking bluntness from West Ham, who are embroiled in a relegation battle, Bowen has plugged away diligently. His 14 goal contributions in the Premier League are the most of any English attacker.

Saka and Madueke have 12 between them. Decisiveness and a cutting edge are crucial this summer if England are to get serious about their bid to win the World Cup. At his club, Bowen is doing his chances so harm at all.

His offering defensively is as desirable as that of any of Tuchel’s raft of attacking options, and that, too, will not be lost on the England head coach. Bowen is fiercely hard-working, positionally disciplined out of possession, and the epitome of a team player.

Bowen was one of the alarming number of England auditioners who fell flat at Wembley against Uruguay on Friday, but starting the game rather than appearing in his usual guise of impact sub could help his chances of impressing against Japan. More game time means more exposure.

Saka and Madueke are both 24, Bowen due to turn 30 later this year. He would be a pick not for the future but for the here and now - and that is what World Cups are all about, peaking at the right time.

Bowen is powering West Ham through an extremely difficult season. Mirror that level of responsibility as England debut their new World Cup home shirt tonight and there could be far more opportunities for him to don it in the months ahead.