West Ham’s relegation has forced an urgent summer of choices. Traveling supporters will face novel away days and the absence of VAR next season, but the larger consequence is the club’s reduced leverage over its top players. While Bowen has insisted he’ll remain loyal despite their plight, he may not have a choice.

Tottenham Hotspur are an obvious talking point. West Ham ended their unofficial transfer embargo with Tottenham Hotspur last summer when the clubs completed a deal for Mohammed Kudus, so there is a recent precedent. Spurs need greater quality and depth in forward areas, but selling Bowen to the East End’s bitterest top-flight foes would be incendiary. Few were thrilled by the Kudus deal and moving West Ham’s crown jewel to Tottenham would “surely spark acrimony.” For those reasons, Spurs look an unlikely destination this summer.

Chelsea present a plausible tactical fit. A pivotal summer awaits the club after a season that ended with a 2–1 defeat at Sunderland and the absence of European soccer. New manager Xabi Alonso could use superior quality out wide whether he operates a back three or a back four. Chelsea must streamline their squad and trim a mediocre group of wide players. Estêvão’s hamstring injury is a concern at a key stage of his development. Bowen is the experienced head Alonso supposedly wants, plus he spent the past two seasons as West Ham’s captain. His work ethic out of possession, pace on the counterattack and finishing would address several Chelsea priorities, even if other options appear more likely at this stage.

Manchester United also warrant consideration. United spent more than $270 million (£200 million) to reinvent their attack last summer and will prioritise other positions as they prepare for a return to the Champions League. Michael Carrick’s back-to-basics approach delivered the highest points-per-game of any Premier League manager this season and earned him a two-year contract. Amad Diallo has recorded just one goal contribution at club level in 2026, and with Bryan Mbeumo offering more as a fluid centre forward, United could look to upgrade down the right and exploit West Ham’s weakened negotiating position.

The 2025/26 campaign closed as a clear backward step for Chelsea, a season defined by inconsistency on the pitch and rising unrest off it. Fans staged vocal protests over the club’s direction, though that anger eased somewhat with the news that Xabi Alonso will be the next manager.

João Pedro was the clearest positive. He finished with 20 goals across all competitions and shouldered most of the creative and finishing burden, particularly during the difficult period under Liam Rosenior. Pedro’s 20 goals (15 in the Premier League, five in cups) contrasted sharply with the limited returns of other summer additions.

Jamie Gittens produced the season’s single unforgettable moment away at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, scoring a stunning trivela half-volley in the 89th minute and adding two assists in that match. It was, however, an isolated flash in an otherwise disappointing debut season that yielded just one goal.

One high point arrived in November when Enzo Maresca’s side beat Barcelona 3–0 at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea registered 56% possession, outshot Barcelona 15 to five and limited the eventual La Liga champions to nine touches in the Chelsea box while registering 35 touches in their opponent’s area. That display suggested potential that the rest of the season failed to build on.

The summer window produced mixed results. João Pedro emerged as the standout signing, while transfers such as Liam Delap failed to make equivalent impact. Spending under BlueCo, following the Club World Cup win, did not deliver the sustained reinforcement required, and the club did not sufficiently respond to Enzo Maresca’s plea for a new centre back after Levi Colwill’s knee injury.

Jorrel Hato was a rare bright spot in defence. The Dutch defender, signed from Ajax, overcame a slow start to be one of the better performers in the first half of 2026, deputising at both centre back and left back and looking a promising 20-year-old prospect.

Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League, exited the Champions League in the round of 16 and reached the FA Cup final. The appointment of Alonso brings hope, but the club’s hierarchy and recruitment will face intense scrutiny ahead of 2026/27.

Chelsea closed the 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland, a result that confirmed the Blues would not play European soccer next season. Cole Palmer reduced the deficit soon after the opener and briefly offered hope, but Wesley Fofana’s sending-off left Chelsea with 10 men for the final half hour and effectively ended any realistic comeback.

Sunderland secured Europa League qualification while Chelsea finished 10th, a tally that reflects one of the club’s poorest recent campaigns. Xabi Alonso will take charge of a squad without European football and with clear structural problems.

The match itself was emblematic of Chelsea’s season. McFarlane’s men applied an aggressive press early and denied Chelsea the rhythm to string passes together. Chelsea’s defence produced errors that invited danger; the midfield was at times unimaginative and stagnant; and an attack that has struggled for consistency again looked incapable of generating sustained threat. The goalkeeper could have done more to deny the opener.

There were visible declines in the performances of players who had previously been influential, including Marc Cucurella, Moisés Caicedo and Cole Palmer. The other results Chelsea needed occurred, but the team failed to take their opportunity and also missed qualification for the Conference League by finishing outside the top seven.

Match statistics underline Sunderland’s dominance in attempts and quality of chances: Expected goals 1.93 to 0.90; total shots 21 to 8; shots on target 6 to 3. Possession was 45% for Sunderland and 55% for Chelsea. Passing accuracy was level at 83% each and big chances were 2 apiece.

Player ratings

GK: Robert Sánchez — 7.0

CB: Wesley Fofana — 5.1

CB: Levi Colwill — 6.7

CB: Jorrel Hato — 6.2

RWB: Malo Gusto — 6.0

CM: Enzo Fernández — 6.6

CM: Moisés Caicedo — 6.7

LWB: Marc Cucurella — 6.3

AM: Pedro Neto — 7.8

AM: Cole Palmer — 7.5

ST: João Pedro — 7.1

Subs: Reece James 6.5; Trevor Chalobah 6.5; Josh Acheampong 6.0; Liam Delap 6.0. Unused subs listed in the matchday squad.