talkSPORT host Jeff Stelling has predicted West Ham will not achieve automatic promotion unless they sign Troy Parrott and Jamie Vardy.
Many pundits are tipping the Hammers to steal an immediate return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
The Irons managed to retain their key forward Jarrod Bowen and kicked off their competitive campaign with a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup.
Bowen registered the joint-fifth most goal involvements in the top-flight last term, scoring nine goals and providing nine assists.
History is on West Ham’s side: the last time the club competed in the second tier back in 2011/12, they secured an immediate return to the top-flight via a 2-1 playoff final victory over Blackpool at Wembley.
This season, the Opta supercomputer lists West Ham as favourites for both the title (17.2%) and automatic promotion (29.4%).
Hammers push for attackers
However, that is not the view of talkSPORT’s Stelling, who tipped Middlesborough to win the league and said: “I think Wolves might go up automatically too. I think they might need to spend again.
“I’ve got a lot of experience in Kieran Trippier and Raúl Jiménez, and you saw Raúl Jiménez at the World Cup; he looks well capable of scoring goals in the Championship.
“West Ham I’ve got in the playoffs; I think they’ve lost too many and not enough incoming. So I’ve got them in the playoff.
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“But I tell you what, if they sign Troy Parrott and Jamie Vardy, then I’ll flip that round with Wolves. But that’s an if at the moment.”
talkSPORT understands the Irons are making a strong push to sign Parrott from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, after the Republic of Ireland international scored an impressive 51 goals across the last two seasons
The ex-Tottenham youngster’s £18million price tag could prove a bargain if he orchestrates a successful promotion charge.
The Hammers submitted an initial £15million bid for the ex-Tottenham youngster which was rejected by the two-time Eredivisie champions, but an improved offer is expected ahead of their Championship opener against Burnley.
Concerns persist at the London stadium regarding attacking depth, with Pablo still waiting to score his first goal for the team following his £21million arrival from Gil Vicente in January.
While Taty Castellanos has been a goalscoring threat since arriving from Lazio in January, the departure of Callum Wilson to Brentford leaves the unproven Pablo as the only other senior option upfront.
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The Hammers have received over £137million from the sales of Crysencio Summerville to Al-Hilal and Mateus Fernandes to Spurs.
By contrast, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have only spent £6.2m on incoming talent, including Keiber Lamadrid and Manor Solomon.
However, one potential arrival would not cost a transfer fee. Vardy is a free agent after leaving Italian side Cremonese following their relegation from Serie A
talkSPORT understands the 39-year-old is assessing all options, with a number of clubs enquiring over his availability.
Wolves target Premier League return
Meanwhile, Wolves are also targeting automatic promotion as they kick off their league campaign on Friday against Blackburn Rovers – live on talkSPORT.
The Molineux outfit take their place in the Championship for the first time since 2017/18, following a disastrous Premier League campaign in which they finished bottom with just 20 points.
Wolves enter the season with a new manager in the dugout, with Rob Edwards sacked and replaced by Portuguese Cesar Peixoto, who led Gil Vicente to a shock sixth-place finish in the Primeira Liga in 2025-26.
They have also secured the return of Raul Jimenez, after the Mexican striker spent three seasons at Fulham, netting 28 Premier League goals in that time.
Heading into the campaign, Opta’s supercomputer have given Wolves a 19.2 per cent chance of automatic promotion back to the top flight.
Championship on talkSPORT
talkSPORT will bring you unmatched live and exclusive coverage of the Championship’s opening weekend.
Just look at what we’ve got in store!
FRIDAY 14th AUGUST
- Wolves v Blackburn – 8pm (talkSPORT)
SATURDAY 15th AUGUST
- Bolton v Preston – 12.30pm (talkSPORT)
- Around the Grounds with Adrian Durham – 2.30pm (talkSPORT)
- Middlesbrough v Lincoln – 3pm (talkSPORT 2)
- Sheffield United v Birmingham – 5.30pm (talkSPORT 2)
SUNDAY 16th AUGUST
- Watford v Southampton – 1.30pm (talkSPORT 2)
- Burnley v West Ham – 4pm (talkSPORT 2)
MONDAY 17th AUGUST
- Cardiff v Wrexham – 8pm (talkSPORT 2)
