Few fantasy managers could have expected it at the start of the campaign, but Jarrod Bowen has been one of the most consistent performers. With 15 goals and five assists after 31 games, the West Ham forward has bellied his initial £7 million price tag.
Bowen looks set for a massive price hike in the next campaign, which could put fantasy managers off. If he stays with the Irons, an increase to a likely price of £8.5 million or £9 million in Fantasy Premier League may not be worth it.
Bowen Has Kept West Ham in European Contention
After a difficult season last time out, West Ham have bounced back and had an excellent campaign in 2023-24. Bowen’s performances have kept David Moyes’ men in European contention. With odds of around 11/2 at the time of writing to finish in the top seven, many people have placed football bets on the Irons to enjoy another year of international competition.
Bowen’s goals and assists have also put him firmly on Gareth Southgate’s radar for Euro 2024. England are 3/1 favourites in the Euro 2024 odds thanks to the strength in depth at Southgate’s disposal. The Three Lions attack is particularly deadly, and having a tricky speedster like Bowen ready to come off the bench is a powerful weapon against any team.
In terms of Fantasy Premier League, Bowen has been a helpful addition to the managers who put their faith in him from the early game weeks. His price has risen by more than £1 million over the season, highlighting how much interest he has attracted thanks to his reliability and great performances. The fun may be over after this season, though, as a significant price increase for 2024-25 could take him off the menu.
A Move to a Big Club Could Make Bowen Desirable Next Season
With so many incredible midfielders to choose from in FPL, managers have to think carefully before putting someone in their squad. When a player’s price increases above the £9 million mark, they need to be playing for a title-challenging club to justify that amount of team budget allocation.
Thanks to Bowen’s output this season, he is likely to come in at a price of at least £8.5 million next term. If he stays at West Ham, this may not be worth it for managers who will be seeking stars from teams like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal. Thanks to his price this season, players have been able to fit the big guns alongside Bowen. This won’t be the case next time out.
If Bowen ends up moving to a club like Liverpool in the summer, it could make him a possible option at a higher price bracket. However, he recently signed a contract extension to 2030 with the Irons, so it’s unlikely that he will be sold. It’s clear that Moyes views Bowen as the main star now and will do everything in his power to keep hold of him.
In terms of value-for-money players in the 2023-24 FPL season, few can match Bowen. He has been a standout performer for the fantasy managers who have picked him this term, with fantastic consistency. Unfortunately, he looks set for a major price increase next season, though, which may mean he will no longer be a viable option.
