Jarrod Bowen sets ambitious target for West Ham as club earns high expectations in Premier League campaign

Jarrod Bowen has announced West Ham's goal of winning a trophy, as the club is seen as poised to exceed expectations in the Premier League before their upcoming match against Aston Villa.

Bowen has been made West Ham’s new captain and the east London club are under fresh management after Julen Lopetegui came in to replace David Moyes.

The Premier League Supercomputer has predicted West Ham to finish ninth but Metro.co.uk writers believe the Hammers could be set to overachieve this term.

The Hammers have made a number of impressive summer signings including Niclas Fullkrug, Jean-Clair Todibo, Crysencio Summerville and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Bowen, meanwhile, who netted the dramatic winner for West Ham in the 2023 UEFA Conference League final, is a constant goal threat, scoring 16 times and providing six assists across 34 Premier League games last season.

Ahead of their opening match of the 2024-25 campaign against Aston Villa at 5.30pm BST, Bowen has told that his side can land a trophy this term.

‘[It is] likely [West Ham will win a trophy this season],’ Bowen said. ‘Because those are our ambitions and aims. It’s been a change with the new manager.

‘New signings have come in, exciting signings. We are all excited. We’ve played together in pre-season. Those are our aims.

‘We’re not going to sit here and say we want to finish in mid-table. We want to finish in the top half of the Premier League, qualify for Europe, that is our aim. And we will have the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.’

Meanwhile, football pundit Izzy Christiansen is convinced that West Ham will be the surprise package this season.

‘West Ham are going to have a good season – they have recruited really well and will be exciting,’ she said at a event on Friday.

‘I am a big fan of Julen Lopetegui as manager. It’s the start of a new era for West Ham, I think they’ve got a really exciting squad.

‘I am also a big fan of Niclas Füllkrug. There is going to be a bit of old school football coming back into the Premier League, a bit of long ball football at times, and I think Füllkrug is the type of man who he’ll hold that box. He will be the classic number nine. He will do really well at West Ham.’