Jarrod Bowen has revealed that Danny Dyer is on his case to deliver European glory for West Ham — and says he is ready to do so after shedding the “fear factor” that impacted his form in the first half of the season.
Bowen’s partner is Love Island star Dani Dyer, daughter of the EastEnders actor and famous West Ham fan, and the family tie is providing extra incentive ahead of tonight’s Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against AZ Alkmaar.
“I’ve only been here three years, but I feel a massive part of this club,” said Bowen, who joined from Hull in January 2020. “I feel like a fan almost. I know how much it means to the fans and I want to give them that success.
“The missus’s old man is on me every week. But for everyone, it’s not been a great season, but staying in the Premier League is the main aim and bringing the trophy home for the fans would be a good end to a bad season.”
Bowen was one of the stars of West Ham’s run to the Europa League semi-finals last season and finished the campaign with a first England call-up, but the winger struggled to replicate that form prior to Christmas this term, ultimately missing out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.
The 26-year-old has looked more like his old self since the mid-season break, however, and has two goals and two assists so far in the Conference League knockout stages.
“For me it’s not been the season that I wanted, to be honest,” Bowen added. “The first half of the season I wasn’t happy with my performances, I’ve been quite honest about that. But during second half of the season I think I’ve been back to a level I’m happy with.
“I’ve gone back to basics, simplified my game and I’m playing without a fear factor. That’s when I play my best football and I feel like I’ve been doing that, which I wasn’t doing during the first half of the season.”
