It is no secret that it has been a massively disappointing season for West Ham, from several transfer flops to a manager change mid-season, we have seen a lot of negatives in the 24/25 campaign. However, one shining light that we can hang our hats on this season, is the emergence of Freddie Potts.

Potts is the son of former player (and now West Ham U21’s Manager), Steve and the brother of fellow academy graduate, Dan. He’s got excellent pedigree, Dan featured for the Hammers before joining Luton Town and climbing from League Two all the way to the Premier League with the Hatters and Steve… well, he’s a West Ham legend who made over 500 appearances for the club between 1984 and 2001.

Freddie has spent this season on loan at Championship side Portsmouth, featuring 38 times, scoring once and totting up 4 assists whilst at Fratton Park. He clearly impressed the Portsmouth Manager John Mousinho this season, receiving plaudits on a regular basis and being trusted to operate in midfield at just 21 years of age. A key aspect of his game is his high football IQ, the intelligence and foresight to be in the right place at the right time is priceless for any footballer – with that particular weapon in the armoury, you can rise to the top without needing a whole lot of technical ability. 

Hammers fans have seen the current midfield in slow-motion since the beginning of the campaign, with the central areas being hampered by a real lack of pace, something that Potts has no issues with. His running gait is very similar to another recent West Ham academy product who now plies his trade at Arsenal and on the international stage, with long strides that cover ground quickly and make it very difficult for attackers to dribble past. The Hammers hierarchy can clearly see the development potential of Freddie, rewarding him with a brand new 4-year contract in March 2025, a clear sign of intent that we see him in our long-term plans.

I expect to see Soucek keep his place in the starting XI next season, paired with a more mobile counterpart, who can operate just in that defensive midfield pocket, deeper than the big Czech. Potter likes a defensive midfielder, even resorting to Guido Rodriguez in the last two games. It’s no secret that Rodriguez, Alvarez, Irving and Lucas Paqueta will likely be in new colours next season, with Soler returning to his parent club, PSG. That is 5 of the clubs 7 central midfielders likely to move onto pastures new in the summer. In my mind, this has blasted the doors wide-open for our very own Freddie Potts to establish himself in our midfield for the 25/26 season. He will compliment Soucek nicely, adding mobility and ball-playing ability to our midfield. If Potter sees this as the future is anyone’s guess, but to me, it is the logical step to get our midfield problems solved.

His manager from this season, John Mousinho has given him nothing but praise in recent weeks, stating “I’ve seen a lot of evidence, particularly in the past six weeks, that he is ready to make that step [to Premier League level]”. Encouragingly, he also said “If he was our player, I’d be expecting a lot of bids for him from Premier League clubs this summer”, which goes to show how he holds Potts in a very high regard indeed. Thankfully for us, he’s under contract until 2029 and the club has ZERO interest in selling the legacy player.

So, he’s proven himself in the Championship and his manager thinks he is ready to ply his trade in the best league in the world. For me, he’s earned himself the right to show us what he can do. I honestly believe that this lad can be a mainstay for us, not only that but I think he has the leadership and strength to be thrown-in straight away. He doesn’t need time to adjust, he’s mobile, strong, intelligent and importantly, he is grounded. 

The name Potts carries a legacy at West Ham, can Freddie be the one to extend that even further?

Written by Ollie Royan