There is a photo of a seven-year-old Jarrod Bowen, taken as England prepared for UEFA Euro 2004, that explains how much this summer will mean to the West Ham United forward.
He stands, hair dyed red and styled into a David Beckham-inspired Mohican, and face painted with the St George’s Flag, wearing an England shirt from the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Most football fans have a similar picture of themselves as a boy or girl. They all had a similar dream.
Two decades on, Bowen is preparing to emulate his hero Beckham and appear on the right wing for England at a UEFA European Championship finals after being named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad.
“I’ve always watched England at major tournaments,” the Hammer of the Year told whufc.com. “Those pictures did the rounds on social media when I got called up by England for the first time [in May 2022]. That was one of the memories I can remember when I think about supporting England growing up and that picture never gets old!
“I think any call-up is special but to represent your country at a major tournament is one of the pinnacles of a career.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a dream because, as a young kid, you didn’t even think it was possible to play football in the Premier League, let alone represent my country.”
Bowen, though, has done both in what has been a relentless rise across four-and-a-half years since his arrival at West Ham from EFL Championship club Hull City in January 2020. His goals kept the Hammers in the Premier League and, most famously, secured a European trophy.
Now, as he seeks his first international goal after seeing one header against Belgium ruled out for offside by a VAR review, and a goal-bound shot kept out by his own teammate Ezri Konsa against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the No20 would love to hit the net for his stage on the big stage in Germany.
Whether he scores at Euro 2024 or not, however, just being part of the England squad for a major tournament will be a huge thrill.
“Playing for your country is probably the pinnacle of anyone's career,” Bowen confirmed. “As soon you have that one cap, you’ve done it!
“Even being around St George’s Park for the first time, wearing the tracksuit and the training kit, was a pinch-me moment, let alone my debut! I don't think I will ever get used to playing for my country. Even the players who have got 50-plus caps will still say that the feeling of putting on the England shirt never changes. It’s a special feeling, always.”
As he has for West Ham this past season, when he equalled Paolo Di Canio’s record for most Premier League goals by a West Ham player in a single season with 16, and added ten assists in all competitions, Bowen will carry a threat whenever he is on the pitch.
But he is about far more than goals and assists as a player, as his versatility, work-rate and professionalism also all helped him secure a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad.
“I think every time I’ve played for England, I've tried to showcase what I can do,” he explained. “Ultimately, you get picked for your country from playing well every time you play for England but also playing well week in and week for your Club, which I think I have done this season [just ended].
“As a forward, I'm up against some big names but I've come off the back of a good season, had good opportunities away with England already, and played a couple of games as well.
“I’m excited to be in the squad this summer and we will see where it takes me.”
Drawn in Group C, England tackle Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday 16 June, Denmark in Frankfurt on Thursday 20 June and Slovenia in Cologne on Tuesday 25 June, with the top two finishers guaranteed to advance to the round of 16.
