West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo has urged Jarrod Bowen to channel the agony of his World Cup omission into a decisive performance that could secure the club's Premier League status.
Bowen, a regular in previous England squads, was notably absent from the 26-man squad heading for North America when it was announced by Thomas Tuchel on Friday morning.
This personal setback coincides with a critical juncture for the Hammers, who face relegation unless they defeat Leeds and Everton secure a favourable result against Tottenham on Sunday.
Addressing the forward's disappointment, Nuno confirmed Bowen's deep desire to represent his country.
"He was sad," the Hammers boss stated, adding: "He’s sad, but he will immediately turn the page and focus on Sunday."
Despite a goal drought stretching back to February, leading to speculation about the pressure weighing on his shoulders, Nuno was quick to praise his captain.
"We are very proud to have Jarrod as skipper," Nuno affirmed, praising his "work rate and commitment" and how "he leads by example on his team-mates."
He dismissed the notion of pressure being a negative factor: "The pressure? No, he embraced it. It’s not the reason. He embraced it and he’s a leader."
Nuno stressed that Bowen needs only to be himself.
"Jarrod doesn’t have to prove nothing to anybody. He just has to be himself, the best of him and the best of all the players. That’s what we need on Sunday."
The manager, who has 14 years of experience in the dugout, admitted Sunday’s fixture is the most significant of his career.
"Yes, for sure," he declared. "We represent a huge club, a massive club, with an enormous fanbase that we have to respect and try to make them proud of us."
He concluded by emphasising the role of the supporters and the team's responsibility: "They’ll be there from the first minute, I can assure you. Then it’s up to us to deliver so the support continues."
It promises to be a tense afternoon for West Ham and Tottenham fans on Sunday, with both matches involving the two London clubs getting underway at 4pm.
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