West Ham have already fallen behind Wolverhampton Wanderers in their preparation for the 2026/27 Championship campaign.
West Ham and Wolves are the clear top two favourites to win the league next season, ahead of Burnley, Middlesbrough and Birmingham City.
Both teams have Premier League quality in their first-team squads and will feel they should not have been relegated.
The Hammers might have finished with significantly more points this year, but that is not expected to repeat itself in the Championship.
Wolves have made two moves that suggest they will be ready to fight for Premier League promotion from the opening day of the new season.
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Wolves are setting the Championship standard while West Ham wait
West Ham supporters have yet to learn which players are committed to taking them back to the Premier League.
Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jean-Clair Todibo are all expected to leave this summer, although nothing has been confirmed.
Meanwhile, Hammers fans are optimistic that club legends Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek will stay for at least another season.
However, Wolves have already negotiated a new long-term contract for their best player, Andre.
The Brazilian midfielder would have had suitors from around Europe, but he has signed a four-year deal to stay at the Molineux Stadium.
Moreover, Wolves have all but confirmed their first signing of the summer: Kieran Trippier is set to join from Newcastle.
The 35-year-old recently departed the North East club on a free transfer and has decided to join Wolves for their promotion push.
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The Newcastle and England legend will not only provide great quality on the right side, but will also be an experienced leader.
Given that Wan-Bissaka is likely to exit the London Stadium this summer, Trippier would have been an ideal signing for West Ham.
Leadership was lacking throughout the season, so the Hammers have arguably missed a trick by not signing the right-back.
The transfer window will remain open for another three months, so there is no need to panic, but West Ham should not let Wolves build too big a head-start.
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