Danny Dyer, a lifelong West Ham fan, admits he still finds it “incredible” that his daughter Dani is married to the captain of his boyhood club, Jarrod Bowen.
“It [supporting West Ham] has taken on a whole new level of emotion for me, you know, the fact that Jarrod is my family.”
But the circumstances have brought with them added pressure, particularly this season with the club embroiled in a relegation battle alongside near-neighbours Tottenham Hotspur, plus Nottingham Forest and Leeds.
'He's the guvnor'
Furthermore, Bowen has been in six of Thomas Tuchel’s eight England squads, starting England’s last match (a 2-0 win away at Albania) on the right wing. At 29 this summer represents his best, and potentially last, chance of playing at a World Cup.
“He really is the governor,” gushes father-in-law Dyer, speaking to FourFourTwo while promoting his latest film ‘One Last Deal’ in which he plays a football agent Jimmy Banks. “I just pray that that man can keep us up.”
Dyer insists that he puts no pressure on the forward, admitting that Bowen doesn’t discuss football that much when he is with family, and that he barely watches his performances back on TV.
“It's his career, and he loves the club. He did sign for six years, and he totally wants to commit to that, but of course, if we do go down and there's a very good chance we will…”
Dyer fails to complete the sentence, almost as if doing so will manifest in his beloved Hammers slipping out of the Premier League, with his son-in-law realistically having to leave to continue playing at the level his talent matches.
“He needs to get on that plane,” implores Dyer. “There's no reason why he shouldn’t. OK, he hasn't scored in the last couple of games, but he’s scored more goals than Saka and Madueke this season.
“These two apparently are in front of him on the plane. I don't understand why – the bias! Saka looks great on the ball and silky – he doesn't do anything. Jarrod has got us out of trouble so many times. This man can lift a whole team. He's better on both feet, better in the air…
“This will probably be his last chance to play in a World Cup, considering he's nearly 30. Let’s hope he keeps us up, gets on the plane and has an amazing World Cup and gets to start a game, because I tell you, the man will damage any team.”
That last wish is a reference to Euro 2024 where Bowen made Gareth Southgate’s squad but was used sparingly, despite the Three Lions making it all the way to the final. Dyer, not known for mincing his words, doesn’t hold back on his criticism of the way England’s last manager handled Bowen.
“We went to the Euro final against Spain, flew out there, and he never got on the f**king pitch, a lot of players didn't – Southgate f**ked it yet again. It was weird because I was sitting with a lot of the other families, they've all got their shirts on and with their names on the back – he didn't bring any f**ker on, really.
“He brought Cole Palmer on of course, he got the equaliser, but he just didn't do anything. It's really, really frustrating. There was a bit of a party later on in case we won it in the players' hotel and I didn't end up going in the end because it would’ve been like a f**king wake in there.
“I think that man is so underrated and that's not just me being biased, this geezer’s got everything.”
Not only is Dyer correct in the fact Bowen has scored more goals than both Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, but the West Ham captain has more goals and assists than any other English player in the Premier League this season. But England’s right-wing option list is stacked with suitors.
As well as Saka and Madueke, Phil Foden and the recently drafted Harvey Barnes will have designs on the role. England play Uruguay this evening, with Japan coming to Wembley on Tuesday. Any minutes Bowen gets on the pitch will have to be made to count if he is to fulfil his and his famous father-in-law’s wish.
One Last Deal is in Cinemas now and available on Sky in June
