Declan Rice sent a message of support to Jarrod Bowen after the West Ham star scored during England’s 5-0 win over the Republic of Ireland on Sunday.
The 28-year-old winger was a 75th-minute substitute during the 5-0 thrashing at Wembley Stadium on 17 November, replacing Noni Madueke alongside Morgan Rogers and Dominic Solanke.
With the Three Lions already 3-0 up at this point, Bowen scored just a minute later with his first touch of the ball, firing home a free-kick routine and benefitting from Jude Bellingham’s lay-off.
Responding to Bowen’s Instagram post [17 November], Rice commented with a heart emoji while Bellingham wrote: “Deserved bro,” with three white heart emojis.
Rice is still a very much loved figure at the London Stadium despite his £105million move to Arsenal in the summer of 2023 [BBC Sport], and he clearly shares love for his former teammates.
The midfielder left East London after lifting the Europa Conference League in Prague, helping Hammers fans to finally dream again, and Bowen will be hoping that he can achieve the same as captain.
Despite such a torrid start to the 2024/25 campaign under Julen Lopetegui, he has still managed to rack up three goals and two assists in the Premier League, most recently leading them to an important win over Manchester United.
It has been a tricky season for the Hammers so far, with frustration building within the fanbase as Lopetegui’s style of football continues to disappoint, but Bowen will be confident that things will pick up.
If he can bring his England form back to the London Stadium once the international break finishes, there is no reason why the team cannot get back to winning ways, even up against Newcastle United.
In other West Ham news, Julen Lopetegui’s gut instincts have been proven right after what one of his stars did recently.
