West Ham United will lose a handful of key players following their relegation from the Premier League. Yet, among those expected to remain, Nuno Espirito Santo should go into next season with some handy Championship experience to call upon.
From the prolific Jarrod Bowen to a promotion-securing full-back and two Young Player of the Year winners, West Ham United currently have five players whose track record in the second tier should raise hopes for an immediate return to the big time.
If they stay, of course.
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Jarrod Bowen – Hull City
West Ham signed Bowen on the final day of the winter transfer window in 2020 following a fantastic first half of the campaign on Humberside. In his final 29 Championship appearances for Hull – who replaced the Hammers in the top-flight thanks to their play-off final victory over Middlesbrough last week – Bowen racked up 16 goals and seven assists.
His second-tier record reads 111 starts, 52 goals and 12 assists.
Unsurprisingly, Hammers News have been informed that West Ham hope to hang onto the skipper. The more recent noises coming out of East London suggests they might – might – get their wish.
Crysencio Summerville – Leeds United
We will keep this brief.
Because, while Bowen’s admirable loyalty could see him stay at the London Stadium, Crysencio Summerville appears to have one foot and a few toes out the door.
The Dutchman secured himself the Championship Player of the Year award with Leeds in 2024. It goes without saying that he will have little desire to fight for that prize once again.
Kyle Walker-Peters – Southampton
David Moyes is keen to take Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Everton. Should he succeed, the Hammers have a more than capable replacement waiting in the wings in the shape of Kyle Walker-Peters.
A dependable, versatile squad player in the Premier League, the twice-capped England international could really come into his own next season.
Walker-Peters secured a spot in the Championship’s Player of the Season while helping Southampton gain promotion via the play-offs in 2023/24, providing six goal contributions from full-back.
Freddie Potts – Portsmouth
Homegrown academy graduate Potts could be one of those who benefits from West Ham’s relegation.
While the youngster was unable to build upon his breakout performances during October’s back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Burnley, his sharp, short distribution could make Potts a key player in a side expected to inflate their possession numbers greatly in the second-tier.
Potts was Portsmouth’s Young Player of the Year in 2025, featuring 37 times during a loan spell at Fratton Park and departing to a standing ovation.
Which players could actually BENEFIT from a Championship season? 🤨
“Freddie has been excellent,” raved Pompey boss John Mousinho. “Overall, he has been really good,”
“He’s very calm and composed on the ball, positionally very good, and also strong enough in the tackle and in his challenges to emerge with a lot of credit as a holding midfielder. His overall game has been very, very solid.“
George Earthy – Bristol City
Potts was not the only West Ham loanee to claim a Young Player of the Year award in 2024/25.
George Earthy was a big hit at Bristol City that season, popping up with some key goals as the Robins reached the play-offs. Earthy’s second spell at Ashton Gate did not go to plan – an understatement, really, starting only twice after re-joining in January – but his appreciation of space, technique between the lines, and eye for goal could make the silky 21-year-old a unique profile in Nuno’s squad.
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