Manchester City vs West Ham Preview
Julen Lopetegui has described Jarrod Bowen’s absence due to a foot fracture as an opportunity for others to step up and prove their worth.
Frankly, it’s exactly what you’d expect the West Ham boss to say ahead of a daunting clash at The Etihad. However, make no mistake—the loss of the Hammers’ captain is a significant blow to Lopetegui’s already fragile tenure in the hot seat.
While Bowen hasn’t been at his scintillating best this season, his solid form has often been enough to rescue the Spaniard from tricky situations.
The question remains: who exactly does Lopetegui expect to ‘step up and be counted’? All eyes are on Mohammed Kudus, who is likely to slot in on the right. Crysencio Summerville seems a natural choice for the left flank, though Lopetegui’s penchant for tactical surprises could see Emerson, Carlos Soler, or even Lucas Paquetá deployed in an unconventional role.
Regardless of the line-up, Lopetegui faces a colossal challenge against compatriot Pep Guardiola. Yet, the West Ham boss remained optimistic when addressing Bowen’s injury:
“It’s true that Jarrod is our captain and one of our big players, but we have to be able to find a solution.
This is the moment for the other players to show that they are ready to help us, and that their answer is going to be good.
We are looking for the shortest possible recovery time for Jarrod, but in the same way, we believe in the other players in the squad, who will be looking to take advantage of their opportunity.”
Of course, wishing for someone to seize the moment and actually seeing it happen may be two very different things.
