Jarrod Bowen admits he and the rest of England’s forwards must be more “ruthless” in front of goal to ensure they are not so reliant on Harry Kane.
England have struggled for goals during their games this month, scoring just once in three matches. That came courtesy of a Harry Kane penalty against Germany and Bowen is aware he, and the other forwards in the squad, must step up.
Bowen was in fine form for West Ham last season, while the likes of Bukayo Saka and Mason Mount scored over 10 goals for their clubs too.
Kane, however, remains the main source of goals for England and his tally of 50 is more than the rest of the squad combined.
And asked if the forwards need to support the England captain more, Bowen replied: “Yeah 100 per cent, because as forwards you look to the goals that you score and the assists you come up with.
“Speaking on an individual basis, I have had chances and been in positions where I am getting chances. I think we are in the right positions and I think [against Italy] we had a few chances as well. It’s just about converting those chances and being really ruthless.
“It’s not that we don’t score [in training]. The confidence is definitely there. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be. It is just fine margins and that final execution. You score two, three goals and the game is a different story.”
England’s struggles in front of goal have seen manager Gareth Southgate come under fire, with critics arguing he is too conservative.
Ahead of Saturday’s game with Italy, the Three Lions boss said he won’t outstay his welcome - but Bowen insists the squad are behind him.
Jack Grealish recently revealed how he is able to play with more freedom for England than Manchester City and Bowen has explained how he has been given licence to express himself too.
“It’s the same kind of message,” he said. “I think the main thing he said to me is just do what’s got you here. And as an attacking player you want that freedom, that confidence, especially from the manager as well. For us attackers, obviously we defend as well.
“The manager is big on being compact as a defensive unit and as well as wingers, we are not just attacking wingers, we do try and defend as well. But I think with the ball is where we are obviously the most dangerous, so it’s freedom to go and play how you’ve been playing.”
Given that level of freedom, asked if he felt the criticism about Southgate being negative was harsh, Bowen said: “Yeah, 100 per cent.
“I think you look at the results that we’ve had these three games, there has been one goal in each game, except for [Saturday] where it was obviously no goals.
We’ve haven’t had a big-scoring game since I’ve come here, I think that comes down to the quality of the teams.
“The margins are really tight and I think that is something I’m learning in international football. We’ve haven’t had a big-scoring game since I’ve come here and I think that comes down to the quality of the teams and the margins in it.
“To be honest, I don’t get caught up in the outside world because I think you can get caught up in reading a lot of things about you personally, the team as well.
“So I think the main thing is the belief in this group is really high. We know the quality that we’ve got, so it’s not about getting caught up in the outside world.”
