If Julen Lopetegui wasn’t already on borrowed time at West Ham he will be now as Jarrod Bowen responds to awful news.
There has not been much cheer for West Ham this year, let alone this season.
Jarrod Bowen has undoubtedly been one of – if not the – highlights.
Julen Lopetegui has proved a disastrous appointment for the Hammers.
The Spaniard has managed just six wins from his first 19 games in charge.
As a result Lopetegui is under intense pressure, especially after the dismal 5-0 drubbing to Liverpool to end 2024.
One thing the 58-year-old had in his favour had been the fact West Ham are the club least impacted by injuries in the Premier League so far.
That is set to change in dramatic fashion, though.
Captain and talisman Bowen has been carrying the weight of the club on his shoulders this season.
He makes the Irons tick and is one of the few players who can hold his head up high amid West Ham’s struggles.
Lopetegui’s decision to make Bowen captain was – and has been – questioned.
But now the Hammers will really find out how crucial he is to this team and dressing room.
Bowen responds as awful West Ham news keeps coming
Bowen has responded as the awful West Ham news keeps coming with his lay-off timescale confirmed.
In an official announcement, the Hammers have revealed their best player Bowen sustained a fractured foot injury in Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool.
“The injury to his left foot, picked up in the first half at London Stadium, will sideline the Hammers captain heading into the New Year,” West Ham said in a statement.
Fractures of the foot can be complicated and recovery timescales vary.
That has led to speculation over the length of Bowen’s lay-off ranging from that he was 50-50 for Man City to out for three months.
Now Bowen has taken to Instagram to respond on his injury, confirming he played on with the broken bone against Liverpool.
“Unfortunately in the first half of our game on Sunday I suffered a fracture to a bone in my foot,” Bowen states.
“As always I tried to fight on and continue playing until I physically couldn’t.
“Injuries happen in football but I’m already looking forward to getting back out there as soon as possible. See you all soon!”
Bowen lay-off timescale could be fatal for Lopetegui
Since then a top senior source at the London Stadium has confirmed the terrible news that Bowen is expected to be out for up to two months.
A best case scenario of six weeks has been set as Bowen has been known to be a quick healer in the past.
With Lopetegui reportedly on the brink, this could be a fatal blow for the manager.
Bowen has been fundamental for the east Londoners since joining the club for a bargain £20.5m in January 2020.
His contributions in terms of goals and assists are clearly hugely important. But it is his all round game, attitude, desire and workrate which are equally vital.
West Ham have been terrible with brilliant Bowen in their team.
So goodness knows what they will look like without him.
It has been claimed defeats to Man City and Villa will see the former Spain boss sacked.
So what games could Bowen miss?
As many as nine in total starting with this weekend’s daunting trip to Man City.
He will almost certainly then miss Villa away in the cup, Fulham and Palace at home, Villa away in the league as well as Chelsea and Brentford.
That is the best case scenario if six weeks out.
A worst case scenario of eight weeks would see Bowen also miss West Ham’s games against Arsenal and Leicester too.
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