West Ham youngster Freddie Potts will be given the chance to impress Hammers head coach Graham Potter during pre season. With Potts coming off the back of two successful loan spells, it will be interesting to see whether the 21 year old can force his way into Potter’s first team plans.

Freddie Potts has been at the Club since he was six years old. He put pen to paper on his first professional contract in the summer of 2021 and made his first team debut for the Hammers later that year against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League.

In the 22/23 campaign, Potts was regularly named as part of the Hammers match day squad in the Europa Conference League. The young midfielder made two appearances in the competition, coming off the bench against both FCSB and AEK Larnaca. The following season, the 21 year old was sent out on his first loan spell to gain regular first team football, joining League One side Wycombe Wanderers for the season.

Potts’ loan spell at Wycombe was a roaring success. He was a regular starter during his time at Adams Park, making 43 appearances, which included playing at Wembley in the EFL Trophy final. Potts scored two goals, registered two assists, and impressed with his performances in both central and holding midfield roles.

The 21 year old won the most tackles and interceptions, made the second most passes and completed the second most take-on’s in League One in the 2023/24 season. To cap off an outstanding year on loan, Potts picked up two awards having been named the Players’ Player of the Season as well as the Supporters’ Player of the Season.

Following his success in League One, Potts made the step up to the Championship and spent last season out on loan with Portsmouth. It was another productive year in his development, he made 38 appearances in all competitions, scoring once, providing four assists, and was among Pompey’s standout performers.

His season at Portsmouth highlights that Potts is now ready to take the biggest step up in his career to date and be given the platform to show what he can do in a West Ham shirt in the top flight.

Potts more than made his mark at Fratton Park and left a big impression on the Pompey coaching staff. Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has openly admitted he would love to bring Potts back to the Club for a second loan spell but has been honest in his assessment that this is unlikely to happen given the fact Potts will want to focus on trying to establish himself in the West Ham first team.

“We want good players in who can play at the level, and Freddie is certainly one of them.” said the Pompey boss. Mousinho added: “I just can’t see Freddie Potts leaving West Ham on loan again this summer. He’s 21 now and really does need to start kicking on if he is to make it in the Premier League.”

Back in March, Potts signed a new West Ham contract, keeping him at the Club until 2029. The young midfielder’s ambition is clear, coming off the back of two seasons of first team football, in which he has made over 80 appearances, excelled in League One and the Championship, and grown as a player having played alongside more experienced pros, Potts’ eyes are set on breaking into the Hammers’ first team.

Speaking after signing his new deal Potts said to whufc.com: “”I’ve wanted to become a West Ham player my whole life.” Adding: “My goal is to break into the first team and show what I can do at the highest level.” Midfield was a particular weak point for West Ham last season. If Potts enjoys a successful pre season, with his ability on the ball, his engine, defensive capabilities, physicality and strength in protecting the back four, West Ham may have a ready made solution to their midfield woes on their hands, eliminating some of the need to fork out big money to revamp their midfield.

Given West Ham’s struggles to find consistency in the middle of the park, giving a player like Potts a chance, a player who loves the Club, has proven himself in the EFL, and evidently has plenty of potential, could bring much needed stability to the midfield. When you also factor in Potts’ clear hunger to succeed and become a first team regular, especially following Ollie Scarles’ emergence last season, Hammers fans could be on the verge of seeing yet another home grown talent step up and make a genuine impact in the first team.