Michail Antonio hands Jarrod Bowen major career warning at West Ham | OneFootball

Jarrod Bowen's future has become the subject of intense speculation after West Ham's relegation

West Ham are preparing for life in the Championship after coming 18th in the Premier League table.

The Hammers’ 14-year stint in the top flight came to an end on the final day of the season despite a 3-0 win at home to Leeds United.

The London outfit will be targeting promotion from the second tier at the first attempt under Nuno Espírito Santo next season.

He previously guided Wolves to promotion in 2018, and this will be his first time back in the division in the years since.

It is set to be a busy summer ahead at the London Stadium, with the futures of key players like Mateus Fernandes, Jarrod Bowen and Taty Castellanos all up in the air.

Major exits could be on the cards in the transfer window following West Ham’s relegation, but supporters will be keen to see them all stay, particularly Bowen.

Michail Antonio compares Jarrod Bowen to Declan Rice situation

Former West Ham forward Michail Antonio has warned Bowen that he needs to prioritise his own career this summer, and to look out for himself before the club.

He believes it’s possible to leave the London Stadium and still show his appreciation and love for the club, comparing his situation to Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal in the 2023 window.

"At the end of the day, you can have the commitment, you can have the love for the fans," said Antonio, via talkSPORT.

"But one thing I think people are starting to understand is players do need to look after themselves.

"You can always have the love for the fans, you can always have the love for the club, but at the end of the day, you have to look after number one.

“While doing that, you can also show support.

"Look at Declan Rice, he's gone to Arsenal but he still has his love for West Ham, he's upset that West Ham has gone down."

Rice made the switch from West Ham to Arsenal three years ago in a deal worth a reported £105 million following the club’s Conference League victory.

The midfielder has since won the Premier League title, and competed in the Champions League final.

Meanwhile, Bowen joined the Hammers in 2020 from Hull City in a move worth £22 million, and has been a key part of the first team squad in the years since.

He contributed nine goals and 11 assists as the team finished 18th in the Premier League, missing out on survival by just two points.

The 29-year-old is a fan favourite at the London Stadium, as he has been a talismanic figure in recent seasons, including during their European triumph three years ago, scoring in the 2-1 win against Fiorentina in the final.

However, the winger’s future is now up in the air going into the summer market, and it remains to be seen whether he will be willing to compete in the Championship, particularly if there is Premier League interest in his services.

Jarrod Bowen has to decide his own future

Bowen can’t let the reaction from the fans determine what next in his career, and he should pursue a move away from West Ham if that’s what he ultimately wants.

However, it’s possible that his attachment to the club is strong enough that he does want to stay and fight for promotion next season.

It would certainly cement him even further as a Hammers legend if he stayed and was crucial to a top two finish in 2027.

But it would be quite difficult for any player to turn down the chance to play Premier League football, particularly one with his pedigree and experience.