Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker have both delivered their verdicts on West Ham star Jarrod Bowen’s display for England on Sunday.
Jarrod Bowen was one of very few England players who have earned plaudits after a narrow 1-0 victory over Serbia.
The Three Lions kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a vital three points but were hardly convincing in the process, with Jude Bellingham’s first-half effort proving to be enough.
Gareth Southgate’s side were forced onto the back foot in the second half after such a bright opening 45 minutes.
Southgate turned to Bowen after 75 minutes as the West Ham captain replaced Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka.
Bowen put in a performance the West Ham faithful have grown used to in recent years. The 27-year-old worked tirelessly off the ball and provided a moment of quality in the final third.
His delivery for Harry Kane was inch-perfect but the England skipper’s header was tipped onto the crossbar.
Nevertheless, Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker were both impressed with Bowen’s performance in what was his Euros debut.
Shearer and Lineker react to Bowen’s Euro 2024 display
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Shearer claimed that Southgate’s substitutions worked for England on the night.
“I thought his substitutions worked,” the Newcastle United legend said. “He brought Bowen on for more energy, he was the one that clipped the ball in [for Kane’s chance].
“He brought Conor Gallagher on for more energy in midfield and that’s what he did, he got closer to Harry and got a couple of free-kicks.”
“There was a criticism in the studio even from someone like Cesc Fabregas that was saying when you’re getting deeper and then you bring on people just to cover those things and bring in a bit more energy,” Lineker said.
“But actually what you want to do is get hold of the ball and bring people on who can look after the ball. I thought Bowen did really well.”
“He did that one good thing when he went down the right and he clipped it to Harry, if that goes in, 2-0 and everyone says what a lovely substitution, it’s worked perfectly,” Shearer added. “He’s chipped the ball in and Harry’s scored. But it was a great save.”
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What Bowen said after cameo display for England
Bowen came on ahead of Cole Palmer on Sunday and it will be intriguing to see if Southgate opts for him over the Chelsea star throughout the tournament.
The West Ham forward was clearly content with his performance and shared what Southgate said to him before introducing him into the action.
“He just said, just be me,” Bowen said. “Every time I am on the pitch I will always try and be the hardest worker on the pitch and try and help the team.
“There were times we kept the ball and really took the sting out of the game, I think it was needed. And just a bit of fresh legs as well.
“When I’m needed I will always try and make an impact and also just work as hard as I can.”
