Jarrod Bowen says England call-up means ‘everything’; compares Declan Rice with the Prem’s best

Jarrod Bowen says his maiden England call-up means ‘everything’, while the forward has also made a big claim about West Ham team-mate Declan Rice.

Bowen recently finished an excellent campaign with West Ham. He notched 18 goals and 13 assists in all competitions.

That exciting form helped West Ham finish seventh in the Prem and reach the semi-final of the Europa League, where they were beaten by Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bowen had been in the mix for an England call-up in March. But an injury meant he couldn’t make Gareth Southgate’s squad.

Things are different this time around though. The 25-year-old is in the Three Lions setup and could make his international debut against Hungary on Saturday.

Bowen has had an intriguing journey to the top. He began his career at Hereford before joining Hull in July 2014. A move to West Ham followed in January 2020, with the Irons paying more than £20million for his signature.

“Sometimes I sit back and look back at where we’ve come from, and especially being in an England camp now – not being big-headed, I’ve got to take my hat off to myself from where I’ve come from and what I’ve done,” the star said (via BBC Sport).

“It is everything. Everything you dream of when you’re growing up and to get the call, obviously it’s an honour and a privilege of mine.”

Bowen is in the squad alongside West Ham team-mate Rice. When asked if there is a better defensive midfielder in the Prem than Rice, Bowen replied: “I don’t think so. I think you look at Dec and I think he’s getting spoken about more now because people are starting to realise what he does and what he’s about.

“And this season he has just gone from strength to strength and he’s got everything you need.”

Reports claim Manchester United,