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.

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.

The Premier League reaches its final day with several distinct threads still to be resolved. Arsenal travel to Selhurst Park to conclude an historic campaign, and how their players respond to Tuesday night’s extended title celebrations will be obvious from the first whistle. Selection changes are expected and could produce either a lively goal fest or a subdued end to the season. The trophy will be presented after the final whistle, with skipper Martin Ødegaard first to lay hands on the prize. Twenty-two years of anguish banished to the history books.

Tottenham face a far more fraught finish. Despite sitting in the driving seat for survival, Spurs remain uncertain of their safety. West Ham are two points behind with a much worse goal difference, which leaves Tottenham realistically needing only a draw at home to Everton to secure their top-flight status. West Ham host Leeds United knowing their destiny is out of their hands, while Tottenham must arrest the inconsistency that has defined their campaign.

Chelsea can still affect their European destination with a trip to Sunderland. With incoming manager Xabi Alonso watching, the Blues can secure continental football next season, whether via the Europa League or the Conference League, the latter having been won by the Blues in 2024–25. Victory at the Stadium of Light would give them a decent chance of making the Europa League, but they will require a favour from Manchester United at Brighton & Hove Albion. A draw makes progression trickier and defeat could prove fatal to their hopes.

Manchester City’s finale at the Etihad against Aston Villa marks the end of an era. Pep Guardiola will oversee his final game as Man City boss at home, and club icons John Stones and Bernardo Silva will also be saying their goodbyes. Guardiola and his players will be determined to finish with a fitting result.

Liverpool will bid farewell to Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson after nine-year spells at Anfield. A win or draw at home to Brentford will guarantee Champions League qualification; a defeat is unlikely to drop them out of the top five given Bournemouth’s need for a seven-goal swing to overtake sixth.

Manchester United travel to Brighton with nothing riding on the result except Bruno Fernandes’ individual chase. “The Portuguese playmaker, who was named Premier League Player of the Season on Saturday, is hunting down the division’s assist record. Having tied with Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry last time out, one more assist on the south coast will take his tally to an unprecedented 21 for the season.”