West Ham already have Jarrod Bowen replacement in the ranks after ‘big’ news – pundit
Alan Hutton has insisted West Ham have a more than adequate replacement for Jarrod Bowen in the shape of Andriy Yarmolenko.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted the Ukraine international’s performances have softened the “big” blow of losing the former Hull winger.
Speaking at his press conference on Wednesday (16 March), David Moyes confirmed Bowen, 25, would be out until “at earliest” after the international break.
The winger is still suffering from a heel injury suffered in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
However, Hutton insisted Yarmolenko had taken his opportunity to fill the void with both hands.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Bowen’s a big miss so there’s an opportunity for Yarmolenko to come in.
“We saw in the summer, with Ukraine, what he’s capable of. He can definitely slot into that West Ham team and take the stress off the other players.
“He’s showed it with his goals, the class that he’s got. There’s an opportunity for him to come in and play, so it’s up to him.
“I know it’s a difficult situation for him with everything that’s going on, the pressures of that as well as football. You do obviously feel for what he’s going through.
“When he’s played, he’s showed that form that he’s capable of.”
Yarmolenko has scored two goals in as many games since returning from compassionate leave.
He netted the second last night (17 March) in the Hammers’ 2-0 win over Sevilla.
Meanwhile, Bowen scored 12 goals and contributed 11 assists in 39 appearances before being sidelined.
In other news, pundit claims West Ham may launch a £95million-plus spending spree with Declan Rice cash after manager’s confession.