Teddy Sheringham Makes Bold Millwall and West Ham Claim as Femi Azeez Is Compared to Jarrod Bowen
Teddy Sheringham has made a huge claim involving Millwall and West Ham, suggesting that Lions winger Femi Azeez could actually be a better player than Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen.
Sheringham, one of England’s most respected footballers of the 1990s and early 2000s, began his professional career with Millwall in 1983. He spent eight years at The Den, scoring 111 goals in 262 appearances before earning moves to Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
The former striker also won 51 England caps during a remarkable 25-year playing career, which included three Premier League titles and a
Champions League triumph.
Later in his career, Sheringham joined West Ham, the club he supported as a boy despite beginning his career with their fierce rivals.
Teddy Sheringham compares Femi Azeez with West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen
Despite his personal connection with West Ham, Sheringham has been particularly impressed by one of Millwall’s current stars: Femi Azeez.
The 25-year-old right winger enjoyed an excellent campaign last season, scoring 11 Championship goals and providing seven assists as Millwall narrowly missed out on promotion after losing in the play-off semi-finals.
However, Azeez’s future at The Den is uncertain. With less than a year remaining on his contract, the winger could be on the move, while a hamstring injury forced him off early during Millwall’s opening fixture against Bristol City.
Sheringham’s admiration for Azeez has gone well beyond simply praising his performances. The former England striker believes the Millwall winger could be better than West Ham’s captain and England international, Jarrod Bowen.
“Femi Azeez has been a revelation. I can’t believe he’s still at Millwall, to be honest. I love him,” Sheringham told MetBonus, via the Reading Chronicle.
He went on to praise Azeez’s ability to operate from the right flank while using his left foot to deliver dangerous balls into the box.
“He’s a real talent. Worth turning up to see and pay the ticket price for him alone. He’s always going to do something special. I can’t keep my eyes off him.”
Sheringham also highlighted Azeez’s ability to beat defenders even when they know exactly what he is going to attempt.
The Millwall winger’s performances have clearly left a major impression, with Sheringham even making a remarkable comparison with Mohammed Kudus before taking things a step further.
“There’s so many left-footers who play on the right but I compare him to Mohammed Kudus and Femi Azeez is a better player. Jarrod Bowen? He’s better than him. I think he’s quality.”
Femi Azeez and Jarrod Bowen could soon face each other
The ultimate test of Sheringham’s claim could come when Millwall host West Ham at The Den on September 19.
The fixture will be the first meeting between the two bitter rivals since February 2012, when the Hammers claimed a 2-1 victory.
Bowen is expected to lead West Ham into the clash if he remains fit, having committed his future to the club despite their relegation from the Premier League.
Azeez’s involvement, however, is far less certain.
Millwall face a major decision over the winger’s future with the transfer window approaching its final stages. Brighton have reportedly emerged as the latest club interested in signing him, adding further uncertainty over whether he will still be at The Den when West Ham arrive.
Femi Azeez vs Jarrod Bowen: Who had the better 2025/26 season?
The statistics make Sheringham’s comparison particularly interesting.
| Statistic | Femi Azeez | Jarrod Bowen |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 37 | 38 |
| Goals | 11 | 9 |
| Assists | 7 | 11 |
| Goal Conversion | 12% | 11% |
| Big Chances Missed | 9 | 5 |
| Shots on Target/Game | 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Big Chances Created | 18 | 16 |
| Successful Dribbles/Game | 1.3 | 1.4 |
Azeez finished with more goals and fewer assists than Bowen, while the Millwall winger also created more big chances. Bowen, meanwhile, recorded slightly more successful dribbles per game and provided four more assists.
Of course, the comparison comes with an important caveat: Azeez produced his numbers in the Championship, while Bowen was operating in the Premier League.
Azeez better than Bowen? Not just yet
Azeez was undoubtedly one of Millwall’s standout players last season, but claiming that he is already a better player than Bowen remains a huge stretch.
Bowen, 29, is at the peak of his career and has already established himself at Premier League and international level. Despite West Ham’s struggles and eventual relegation, he still managed to score nine Premier League goals last season.
It was only the second time in the last five seasons that Bowen failed to reach double figures in the Premier League.
His rise from Hereford United in 2014 to becoming a Premier League star and England international has been impressive, and his 22 caps for the Three Lions underline the level he has reached.
For Azeez to genuinely overtake Bowen in the pecking order, he will first need to prove that he can replicate his Championship form consistently at the highest level.
Sheringham’s verdict will certainly fuel debate among both Millwall and West Ham supporters — and their September showdown could provide the perfect stage for Azeez and Bowen to settle the argument on the pitch.
Who is the better player right now — Femi Azeez or Jarrod Bowen? Let us know in the comments!