West Ham appoint Jarrod Bowen as new captain following Kurt Zouma transfer
West Ham have identified their next captain, Jarrod Bowen, with Kurt Zouma's departure from the club all but certain.
Zouma He is believed to be close to a move to Dubai club Shabab Al-Ahli.
talkSPORT understands the Hammers are willing to let Zouma leave on a free transfer to get his wages off the books.
Having been captained by the club for the first time in August 2023, he will now hand over the armband to another player when he leaves the club. Premier league.
The former Chelsea defender was not in his best form last season and the West Ham manager… Julian Lopetegui has focused on strengthening its defensive line in this transfer window.
They have already done it Signed former Wolves captain Max Kilmanwho played every minute of the Premier League for his former club last season, for £40m.
The defender will be reunited with Lopetegui, who managed him at Molineux.
Kilman had been one of the candidates to take over the captaincy mantle from the outgoing Zouma, especially since it was Lopetegui who named him captain of Wolves.
But now it looks like the bracelet will take a different path.
talkSPORT understands England abroad Bowen is the favourite to succeed him as captain at the London Stadium.
Fan favourite Bowen joined West Ham in 2020 and has since scored 60 goals in his 202 appearances.
Since then, he has also earned a place in the England squad, earning his first call-up. Gareth Southgate in May 2022.
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Most recently, Bowen was part of the Three Lions team that failed to make it into the league. Euro 2024 Spain won the final, coming on as a last-minute substitute in their tournament debut against Serbia.
Zouma has previously spoken about what an honour it was to lead his club as captain, especially in their European games last season, but he is now ready to leave the London Stadium.
“It's a huge honour for me, especially to lead the team into the Europa League,” he said in April 2024. “It's something I thought would never happen to me.”
“Leading such a large group fills me with pride.
“I've been through a lot of ups and downs, just like everyone else. My teammates and coaches throughout my career have helped me, and I think that's all helped me get to where I am today.”
West Ham have one more pre-season game against Celta Vigo on Saturday 10 August before they begin the countdown to their first Premier League game of the 2024/25 campaign.
Their new captain will lead the team when they kick off the campaign with a home game against Aston Villa on Saturday 17 August.
