When a side is relegated from the Premier League, it is often the way that their best players leave and this summer, that will be no different. Chelsea will certainly be in the market.
The run of promoted clubs being instantly relegated came to an end this season with Leeds United and Sunderland staying up. Remarkably, Sunderland finished in seventh, qualifying for the Europa League.
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West Ham, Burnley and Wolves were all relegated to the Championship. An instant return for Burnley, but relegation for the Hammers just a few years after they won the Europa Conference League in 2023.
The Hammers have some top players. One is already on his way to Chelsea, with Axel Disasi returning to West London from the East. But Darren Bent believes Chelsea should be looking to sign another Hammer.
Darren Bent believes Jarrod Bowen would be a good signing
Bowen, 29, has missed out on the World Cup squad and relegation will surely see the former Hull City star consider his options. It comes despite having a hand in 23 goals for West Ham this term, in 42 games.
The wide man has now spent the last six and a half years at the London Stadium, averaging a goal or an assist every two games. Across 280 West Ham outings, Bowen has had a hand in 148 goals and assists.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, Darren Bent and Rory Jennings discussed Bent’s future. Having initially asked Chelsea fan Jennings if he would take him, Bent added he would be a good signing for Chelsea.
Bent started: “You talk about Jarrod Bowen, would you take him at Chelsea?”, before Jennings replied: “He’s certainly better than what we have in those positions. I rate Bowen really highly, yes I’d take him.
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Bent added: “I look at his productivity, his outgoings, his assists and goals, he’ll give you [Chelsea] a lot more than what your boys have given you.” Jennings added: “He’s a better player than Pedro Neto.
“He’s a better player than Alejandro Garnacho,” prompting Bent to say: “Oh, 100%. But Chelsea can get him. Even if you got him on loan for a year and see what happens, I think he would be a good signing.”
Chelsea are supposedly considering a move for Jarrod Bowen
The immediate front runners for Bowen include long-term admirers Liverpool, with the Reds keen to replace Mo Salah this summer. It feels like a like-for-like switch on Liverpool’s right wing this summer.
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Then, there is Newcastle. With Anthony Gordon set to join Barcelona, Eddie Howe will want to sign a replacement and Bowen would fit the bill. Whether he wants go to Tyneside is a very different matter.
Reports do say that Chelsea are interested in Bowen. The England star’s stance on remaining with the Hammers following relegation remains to be seen, but he does have four years left on his contract.
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