What to do with Jarrod Bowen?
Up next in our ‘What to do’ series, we look at West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen. Specifically, should FPL managers keep or sell him?
What to do?
Since Gameweek 7, West Ham midfielder Jarrod Bowen has been a spectacular FPL asset. Only Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold have more points than the man who started the season priced at £6.5m.
His 13 assists are a league-high and, combined with eight goals, has delivered a number of goal involvements (21) only beaten by Salah. Yet, as of Monday afternoon, he is the Gameweek’s third most-sold player.
Bowen’s Form
Although Bowen has blanked in his last two matches, enough credit was earned beforehand. Those nine games brought five goals, six assists and 72 points – an average of eight per match.
In many matches, his average position is alongside forward Michail Antonio. As seen below, his number 20 shirt lingers high up the pitch considering most midfielders also need to track back and help their defence.
It’s no coincidence that Antonio’s dramatic drop in form has happened alongside Bowen becoming a more focal point of West Ham’s attacks.
West Ham’s Fixtures
This is likely the key reason why managers are starting to sell Bowen, despite his great season. West Ham have no Double Gameweeks, no games in hand and are about to visit Liverpool.
Even if FA Cup quarter-finals call off their Gameweek 30 match and create a future double, it’s a tough match away to Spurs. In the meantime, six sides play twice in both Gameweek 28 and 29 during a spell of many Wildcards, Free Hits and Bench Boosts being used.
FPL Alternatives
Many FPL managers would probably like to keep Bowen for his reliability – it’s hard to sell a player who is doing so well – but there are so many appealing mid-priced midfielders right now. Gameweek 28 brings two matches for Philippe Coutinho, Raphinha and possibly Mason Mount, whilst Gameweek 29 gives two home games to Bukayo Saka. Then there’s James Maddison sitting there with three games in hand.
Perhaps a 3-5-2 system could accommodate Bowen alongside a couple of these but blanking against both Newcastle and Wolves haven’t helped his case.
Thoughts from the FPL community
FPL Gunnersaurus got a load of replies to the question being asked about Bowen.
Nevertheless, Harry (FPLTIPZ) knows how the game works. Managers get blinded by fixtures, whilst Bowen could go on to cause much pain.
