What West Ham’s Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen need to…

What West Ham’s Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen need to do as Gareth Southgate makes England choice

England manager Gareth Southgate will be staying on as national team manager following the 2022 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France.

The Three Lions lost 2-1 to France with eight teams remaining, Harry Kane's missed penalty in the second half after scoring one earlier in the match cost Southgate's side in Qatar.

Speculation increased after the match that the former defender would step away from the role, with the other three defeated quarter-final teams all parting ways with their manager - Portugal, Netherlands and Brazil.

For Hammers captain Declan Rice, things are unlikely to change given his importance in Southgate's midfield. The 23-year-old started every game in the Middle East and failed to complete 90 minutes just once, coming off in the 3-0 win over Wales in the final group game.

For Jarrod Bowen, returning to the England set-up will be the goal given he won four caps in 2022 but wasn't called up to the final 26. Bowen failed to find the back of the net in any of his appearances for the Three Lions and has had a quiet start to the 2022/23 season, something he will need to address in order to push on once again.

But the former Hull City winger did earn some praise after his debut back in June, a 1-0 shock loss to Hungry in the UEFA Nations League.

“I think Jarrod adapted really well, he looked dangerous from the start,” he said via the Evening Standard. "He probably had most of our attempts on goal, couldn’t quite find that final bit of quality to actually steer the finishes past the keeper but his runs were dangerous, he pressed with endeavour for the team and so I’m sure he’ll be really pleased with the way he has done."

And for the 25-year-old, speaking at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, Bowen knew he had work to do to make the Qatar squad which ultimately did not happen.

"When I came in it was all new and it was about showing what I am about on the pitch and off the pitch as a person," said Bowen via the Daily Mail. "I think I've done that with the game time that I've had. I didn't know if I was going to play any minutes coming here.

"You never know if you are going to play or if you're not. I am grateful to play the minutes that I have with one game left as well. I don't want to say that I've made [the World Cup squad]. I don't want to change my approach or my way of playing because it has got me here."

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