England forward Jarrod Bowen has called selection for Uefa Euro 2024 this summer “difficult” – and said he “felt sick” when he received a WhatsApp message from manager Gareth Southgate telling him about his latest call-up.
West Ham top scorer Bowen made his Three Lions debut in June 2022 but only made one appearance, in October 2023, between then and his appearances in both of England’s international friendlies last month.
“We were just about to order and I saw a phone number ringing me which I didn’t recognise,” Bowen told Iron Cast, describing how he had been out for breakfast with his sister and mother.
“I didn’t answer because it could have been a cold call. I get a WhatsApp message saying ‘hi Jarrod, it’s Gareth Southgate – just ring me when you get five minutes.’
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“I didn’t order food. I just felt sick – he’s either ringing me to say ‘you’ve done well but not enough’, or ringing to say ‘you’re not in the squad’.
“I’m thinking ‘do I act took keen and ring him after a minute, or do I give him 10?’ In the end, I did it after six minutes.
“I didn’t know what to say because I didn’t know what was happening. He said ‘you’re in my squad that comes out at two o’clock’.”
Dream come true is an understatement.. Disappointed in the result but we can’t wait to go again on Tuesday ❤️ 🏴 @England pic.twitter.com/qXNcpVYpyW
— Jarrod Bowen (@_JarrodBowen) June 5, 2022
England Euro 2024 squad: Bowen hopeful
Bowen’s 15 Premier League goals this season make him the third-most prolific English striker in the top flight, behind Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke.
All three are in contention for selection for the finals but Southgate has tricky decisions to make, with captain Harry Kane, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka certain to be picked and the likes of Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford and Ivan Toney also hoping to be part of the squad in Germany.
“It’s difficult because the attacking areas for England are the best they’ve been for years,” accepted Bowen, who has missed the Hammers’ last two games with a knee issue.
“One of the things for me is trying to play consistently well week in, week out – I might not score but I’ve got to play well, set up a goal or… just turn out the performances.
“Hopefully, then, in the summer, you get the call. When you play for England, you’ve got to give the manager a headache.
“I know it’s going to be difficult with some of the names I’m up against and how they’re doing this season.
“You can’t go under with the occasion. You have to show it in training and the games. I feel like I’ve done that.”
