NAPPY EVER AFTER
FIORENTINA V WEST HAM Final fantasy would cap off Bowen’s family fairytale
JARROD BOWEN celebrated the arrival of twin daughters Summer and Star last month — now he wants to be the daddy of West Ham’s Europa Conference League final.
If the Hammers beat Fiorentina in Wednesday night’s showpiece, it will cap an unforgettable few weeks for the England winger.
Wetting the babies’ heads couldn’t be any sweeter for Bowen if he completes the treble of Premier League safety, fatherhood and the Irons’ first major trophy in 43 years.
His partner, Love Island star Dani Dyer, will be in charge of the twins while Bowen takes care of business in Prague — and he hopes his life is about to change on the pitch as well as in the nursery at home.
“I’m trying to get as much sleep as I can before the final,” he said. “When they came last week, it was the best feeling. They are back home now and they are doing well. They say becoming a dad changes your perspective, but you don’t lose the love for football. between not getting too fired up and not caring enough.”
Win or lose, the final could turn out to be manager David Moyes’ last game in charge of the Hammers.
He has not categorically slammed the door on walking away in triumph if he lands the first major trophy of his career, and there are dark whispers that he might be sacked if the Irons come unstuck at the final hurdle.
Grateful
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But Bowen will always be grateful to Moyes for taking an £18million punt on him three-and-a-half years ago, saying:“He was the one who took a chance when no one else wanted to.
“They took the risk of bringing a Championship player from Hull to a Premier League club. To have these moments of a European final, I never thought it would have happened when I first signed.”
Not that anybody is prepared to admit it yet, but there is more certainty that Prague will be skipper Declan Rice’s swansong with West Ham.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich are leading the chase and Bowen said:“I was going to say that I have seen the man he has turned into, but he is only 24, so he still has so long to go.”