The manager has exciting new ideas and beliefs - now I want the chance to show him what I can do

IT MUST have been an occasionally frustrating summer for Jarrod Bowen, who initially looked poised to be a key player for England at Euro 2024 before having to watch their strange tournament unfold from the sidelines.

- Dan Kilpatrick

Bowen came off the bench in England’s opening two games in Germany, and nearly made a goal for Harry Kane within seconds of his first appearance at a major tournament against Serbia.

He did not, though, play another minute after the 1-1 draw with Denmark in their second group game, with Gareth Southgate turning to other forwards — notably Cole Palmer — as England made their sluggish way to the final, where they were beaten by Spain.

“If I sat here and said I was happy not playing... every player wants to play every minute,” Bowen, who is back with England and preparing for the Nations League games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, told Standard Sport.

“But those minutes I did play, I’ll always hold them with me. It’s something no one can take away from me, playing at a major tournament for my country.

“I don’t see it as a negative. I see it as a really good experience I learned a lot from.”

Though he found it “difficult” being away from his young family, for Bowen the Euros was an overwhelmingly enjoyable ride, even as England fell short in a second consecutive final and faced a barrage of criticism back home for their staid performances.

Southgate admitted the outside noise weighed heavily on some of his less experienced players, but Bowen insists he was unfazed.