West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen relishing pre-season trip

West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen is looking forward to their pre-season trip to Australia, despite a shorter summer break than usual.

The Hammers head Down Under after playing their first friendly at National League club Boreham Wood tonight and will face A-League side Perth Glory on Saturday and Premier League rivals Tottenham next Tuesday (July 18).

And Bowen is excited to be jetting off to the other side of the world for the first time.

“I’ve never been to Australia before and I’m excited to go!” he told the club website.

“It’s such a long way on the plane for us that I think it can be a bit off-putting for people from England, having to sit on a plane for that long, but that is the only reason I’ve never been.

“I see the comments on social media from fans in Australia, telling us they are tuning in during the middle of the night to watch our matches, and it puts into perspective how big this club is and how much it means to everyone. 

“I hope we can see as many Australian fans as possible while we’re out there. I’m looking forward to it and we’ve got two good games to prepare for as well.”

Bowen and teammates who had not been on international duty in June, were back at Rush Green last Thursday to start preparations, barely a month on from their unforgettable Europa Conference League final win in Prague.

And the 26-year-old admitted it is never easy starting pre-season, adding: “We were back in for pre-season training on 6 July, so the celebrations went on to about 4 July!

“There’s no leeway! It’s all about getting fit for the new season now. It was a long season, with it going into June, so I think the manager knew it was important for us to have a good rest, recuperate and switch off from football for a bit.

“But the hard work has started again, and pre-season is never easy. You know what to expect and you do your work in the off-season, even when you’re having a rest, cause you need to keep yourself ticking over.”

Bowen’s last-minute winner against Fiorentina will live long in the memory of Hammers fans and the hero of the hour himself, after securing the club’s first piece of silverware in 43 years.

But he said it led to a few arguments among family members.
“I just had so much time,” he said of his goal. “I knew the space was there and I knew Lucas [Paqueta] would play the ball.

“I was through and, when you’re in the moment, you don’t normally have a lot of time to think. But I had a bit of time and I thought ‘I’ve got to score this’. 

“When I hit it, I fell on the floor, and I looked up to see the ball dribbling in. I just didn’t know what to do. Every emotion was going through me and I don’t think that feeling will ever be topped.

“It was the best. Those first couple of days, being out there and then coming back for the parade, were unreal.

“Then we’re into the off-season and you can celebrate with your family, because not all of them were able to come out to Prague. They were all buzzing and they all had the medal on around the house, arguing over who was wearing it the most.”

Bowen has not been able to rest too much during his shortened summer break, though, following the birth of twin daughters.

But the new dad has been only too happy to help out at home, saying: “This summer was a bit different for me but I wouldn’t change it for the world. With the two baby twin girls, who are now six weeks old, I didn’t go anywhere! 

“None of these holidays for me. I was local for the off-season, changing nappies and feeding those babies. 

“They were born towards the end of the season and then, with the warm-weather training in Portugal and then Prague, I wasn’t with them as much as I would have wanted to be in the first couple of weeks. It was just nice to spend quality time with them. They’re safe and healthy and well.”