Chelsea key clashes against West Ham: Friends become foes in the midfield
3. Marcos Alonso vs. Jarrod Bowen
Another of the Hammers tools who looks relatively sharpened since the restart has been new signing Jarrod Bowen. The £22 million man from struggling Hull City had netted 16 goals in the second division before the Hammers snapped up his signature. He has been unable to recreate this kind of form at a club also falling below the line, scoring just once in seven appearances since his move in January.
That goal did arrive in the Hammers last victory, 3-1 over Southampton, and he has shown flashes of his quality post-lockdown, coming close to doubling his tally against Tottenham Hotspur by hitting the woodwork. He still looks the player most likely to end West Ham’s three game goal drought, therefore it will be Marcos Alonso’s duty in dealing with the young forward.
During that sterling win over City, Alonso had the daunting prospect of facing a combination of Riyhad Mahrez and Kyle Walker down the Chelsea left, a competition he came out on top in as the duo were kept relatively under wraps.Granted, Bowen does not possess quite the same threat as Mahrez, nor as the kind of support that Walker offers. Regardless, he has good close control and gradually growing confidence, thus the need for Alonso to utilise his experience and silence the danger early.
On the flip side, Bowen has demonstrated his defensive duties, working back for his team on more occasions than he probably appreciates, meaning Alonso may not be afforded as much freedom on the left. After sitting out the FA Cup tie at Leicester City, the Spaniard should be fresh for this match up, whilst Bowen has played the full 180 minutes for West Ham since the re-arrival of football and may be feeling the strain of wall-to-wall action. Not to mention the weight of carrying the Hammers.
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