EPL

Bowen named West Ham captain ahead of new Premier League season

By Sports Desk August 15, 2024

West Ham have announced that Jarrod Bowen will captain the side for the upcoming Premier League season in Julen Lopetegui's first campaign in charge. 

Bowen, who has made 202 appearances for the Hammers since his move from Hull in 2020, takes the armband from Kurt Zouma, who is in talks over a move to the UAE.

The 27-year-old scored 16 league goals for West Ham last year, equalling Paulo Di Canio's record from the 1999-2000 campaign for the most goals scored by a Hammers player in a Premier League season.

The England international's 22 league goal involvements was the joint-ninth highest in the division, level with new Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke

Bowen recently captained West Ham to victory in their final pre-season fixture against Celta Vigo in the Betway Cup on Saturday, finding the net before a 6-5 penalty shootout saw them triumph at the London Stadium. 

Bowen will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds and Mark Noble, an honour he was thrilled to accept. 

“I am incredibly proud and happy to be West Ham United captain,” Bowen told West Ham's website. “We’ve had many great moments here as a club.

"I’ve been here four-and-a-half years now, so to be named Club captain is a really proud moment and one that I’ll wear with great honour.

“Since I’ve been here it’s just been an upward trajectory in what we’ve done on the pitch, what I’ve done off the pitch.

"To get to this moment is another statement of love I have for this club, along with when I signed my new deal last year.

"I said then that I want to stay here for the rest of my life and I haven’t come off that page. If I can go down as a legend here in years to come, that would be great.”

Bowen will lead the Hammers out for their first fixture of the new Premier League season on Saturday when they welcome Aston Villa to the London Stadium. 

Related items

  • Dyche refuses to rule out Calvert-Lewin Everton exit before end of the season Dyche refuses to rule out Calvert-Lewin Everton exit before end of the season

    Everton boss Sean Dyche has refused to rule out the prospect of losing Dominic Calvert-Lewin before the end of the season. 

    Calvert-Lewin made 39 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees last season, having completed just 38 outings across the previous two campaigns. 

    The 27-year-old scored seven times for Dyche's side in the Premier League last year and was the club's joint-top scorer in the league alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure. 

    Calvert-Lewin has been linked with a move away from Goodison Park in the transfer window, with a reported move to Newcastle falling through in July. 

    Manchester United and West Ham have also registered their interest in the striker, who has just one year remaining on his current Everton contract. 

    But with Everton's financial situation, which saw them deducted eight points last season for two breaches of Profitability and Sustainability Rules, they can ill-afford to lose him for nothing. 

    When asked what would happen if a decent offer came in, Dyche said: "That would be the challenge for the club - for any player, not just Dom.

    "You saw Amadou (Onana) leaving us. There was a level where they think: 'Right that's it, it's got to be done'.

    "That is the current situation of the club. It's not just about the players mentioned, it's about any player.

    "The club has got an outside picture and that's not something I can control. They do need to balance the finances better.

    "We have done a lot of work with that since I've been here."

    Everton begin their Premier League campaign against Brighton on Saturday, with Dyche hoping that Calvert-Lewin can continue his scoring streak against the Seagulls. 

    Calvert-Lewin has three times in his 13 appearances against Brighton, only managing more against Burnley (four), Crystal Palace (five) and Newcastle (six). 

  • Enrique labels Mbappe questions 'boring' following Real Madrid debut Enrique labels Mbappe questions 'boring' following Real Madrid debut

    Luis Enrique said questions regarding Kylian Mbappe are "boring" as Paris Saint-Germain begin life without the Frenchman this weekend against Le Havre. 

    Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid in June, scored on his maiden outing for Los Blancos in their 2-0 UEFA Super Cup win against Atalanta on Wednesday. 

    The 25-year-old became the first Madrid player to score on his competitive debut in the Super Cup since Marco Asensio did so against Sevilla back in 2016. 

    And despite no longer being a part of Enrique's squad, the PSG head coach was asked by a Spanish journalist if he had watched the encounter unfold in Warsaw. 

    "My God these Spanish people are boring. I didn't imagine you were going to ask me a question about Kylian again," Enrique said as he shook his head.

    "But I don't have anything to hide. I have always adored Kylian Mbappe and he is a unique and exceptional person. I wish him the best, and that Madrid lose against us."

    The Parisian's will need to find a new source of goals for the upcoming season after Mbappe posted his best figures in a campaign since his move from Monaco in 2018.

    Mbappe managed 34 goal contributions in Ligue 1 (27 goals and seven assists), with Goncalo Ramos (12) and Ousmane Dembele (11) his closest challengers. 

    However, Enrqiue is relishing the challenge that lies ahead as he goes in search of a fourth major honour at the Parc des Princes. 

    "If someone else scores 40 goals, that would be great," Enrique said.

    "But based on my experience, it is better to have four players scoring 12 - that would make 48, which is more than 40.

    "I think it's a fascinating challenge. It's a challenge to show that football is a collective sport."

  • Enrique bored of Mbappe questions ahead of Ligue 1 season Enrique bored of Mbappe questions ahead of Ligue 1 season

    Luis Enrique said questions regarding Kylian Mbappe are "boring" as Paris Saint-Germain begin life without the Frenchman this weekend against Le Havre. 

    Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid in June, scored on his maiden outing for Los Blancos in their 2-0 UEFA Super Cup win against Atalanta on Wednesday. 

    The 25-year-old became the first Madrid player to score on his competitive debut in the Super Cup since Marco Asensio did so against Sevilla back in 2016. 

    And despite no longer being a part of Enrique's squad, the PSG head coach was asked by a Spanish journalist if he had watched the encounter unfold in Warsaw. 

    "My God these Spanish people are boring. I didn't imagine you were going to ask me a question about Kylian again," Enrique said as he shook his head.

    "But I don't have anything to hide. I have always adored Kylian Mbappe and he is a unique and exceptional person. I wish him the best, and that Madrid lose against us."

    The Parisian's will need to find a new source of goals for the upcoming season after Mbappe posted his best figures in a campaign since his move from Monaco in 2018.

    Mbappe managed 34 goal contributions in Ligue 1 (27 goals and seven assists), with Goncalo Ramos (12) and Ousmane Dembele (11) his closest challengers. 

    However, Enrqiue is relishing the challenge that lies ahead as he goes in search of a fourth major honour at the Parc des Princes. 

    "If someone else scores 40 goals, that would be great," Enrique said.

    "But based on my experience, it is better to have four players scoring 12 - that would make 48, which is more than 40.

    "I think it's a fascinating challenge. It's a challenge to show that football is a collective sport."

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.