Kurt Zouma knows exactly what Jarrod Bowen is capable of.
The French defender saw first-hand how the forward can find the net from all angles last season, watching on as the No20 netted the winning goal in the UEFA Europa Conference League final in Prague.
The centre-back thought Bowen had done it again on Saturday with a fabulous finish against AFC Bournemouth, curling in a sensational screamer to put the Irons ahead early in the second half at Vitality Stadium.
If not for Dominic Solanke’s finish on 82 minutes, after a cruel, unfortunate deflection off Tomáš Souček’s heel in the build-up, the Irons may have returned from their 2023/24 Premier League opener with three points.
With Bowen scoring goals like the one he did on the south coast though, Zouma has no doubt the attacker will fire the Hammers towards many more points this season.
“That’s what Jarrod does,” the No4 told West Ham TV. “I’ve known him since I’ve been at West Ham and always he is surprising me with his quality and what he can do on the pitch.
“He can do everything with the ball and he can do a lot without the ball as well. He’s a big weapon for us and he’s so important for us in this team.”
It is a sentiment Zouma shares across the entire West Ham squad.
The starting XI on Saturday was an experienced side, comprised of players who have made the most of the opportunity to get to know each other well over the last 12 months. It is something Zouma believes stands the entire team in good stead; their closeness and their comradeship.
“We’ve all been together for the last year, which makes it easier in terms of the games and knowing what each other are about,” he continued.
“Even with the guys who were on the bench, we know as soon as they come on that they’re going to the job for us. That is what the team is about. We’re a family in this team and we’re all fighting for each other.
“We know each other so well. It’s a big family here and we’re happy to have this mood in the dressing room. We want that to keep going and we hope it helps us to play well and get wins.”
One player Zouma wanted to make particular note of from Saturday was Alphonse Areola, with his fellow Frenchman selected in goal for the clash with Bournemouth.
The centre-back knows the team are exceptionally lucky to have both Areola and Łukasz Fabiański available to them, with both proving their quality in recent seasons.
“I’m very happy for Alphonse. He’s been here for two years and him and Łukasz have bene fighting for that spot, and the two of them are both superb goalkeepers.
“We’re so lucky to have both of them in our squad. Alphonse played at Bournemouth; he played well and I’m so happy for him.”
It was a battling performance at Vitality Stadium, one which saw both teams go close to finding a second, potentially-winning finish.
While Zouma admitted to some disappointment at not returning to east London with all three points, the 28-year-old knows there are plenty of positives to build on in the coming games.
He continued: “I think we should have come away with the three points. We had a few chances to score and we hit the post twice. But the effort from the lads was spot on and the fans were behind us all the way through the game, and it was a tough game.
“Bournemouth made it really tough for us, especially after we scored that first goal. We pushed but unfortunately they came back into the game. We kept it at that though, we got the draw and we’ve got the point, which we can be happy with.
“We do feel a bit disappointed because we didn’t really do anything wrong. But the draw is still a point and hopefully on Sunday we get a win and add three to it.”
One particularly proud point for Zouma was the opportunity to captain the Hammers in the Premier League opener; the first time the defender has worn the armband in a professional match.
Leading the team out against the Cherries is a moment that will live with him for the rest of his career.
“It was my first time doing that and I’m so honoured to have captained this team,” Zouma added. “West Ham is a big Club and I feel very, very proud.
“It was a big moment for me because it’s my first time being a captain at a professional level. I’d like to have marked it with a win but hopefully we can do that against Chelsea.”
