West Ham United midfielder Freddie Potts showed why he is destined for the very top with his display against Newcastle United.
Entering the match, West Ham had picked up just four points from nine games. Graham Potter, who now manages the Swedish international side, was sacked early in the campaign. His replacement, former Nottingham Forest coach Nuno Espirito Santo, has since endured a tough start to life at the London Stadium, failing to win any of his opening four fixtures.
For their 10th game of the Premier League campaign, West Ham hosted Newcastle. The Magpies, who, last season, won the Carabao Cup and qualified for the Champions League, have struggled on the road so far in the 2025/26 term. Without a win away from home, Newcastle's poor form continued as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against the Hammers.
West Ham, who were deserved winners, picked up what could be a seismic win in their season. Espirito Santo finally has three points to his name and the club now have some momentum they can build on. Against Newcastle, there was one talent in particular who showcased why he is deserving of a place in West Ham's first team this season.
Potts Was Brilliant Against Newcastle
Freddie Potts in action for West Ham United
A product of the club's youth academy, West Ham's Freddie Potts has spent the past two seasons away from East London on loan, first with Wycombe Wanderers, then with Portsmouth. With experience under his belt, the 22-year-old was integrated into West Ham's first team ahead of this season, making his first Premier League start against Newcastle.
Potts, whose father Steve and brother Dan also played for the Irons, put in a man-of-the-match display against Eddie Howe's side, controlling the midfield which, for Newcastle, was occupied by Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, often regarded as one of the best midfields in the English top flight.
As per SofaScore, Potts made two key passes in the game, part of the 33 successful passes he completed. 23 of these were in the Newcastle half, 87 percent of which were accurate. It was a commanding debut from the midfielder, who has surely cemented himself as part of his manager's plans going forward.
Potts, alongside summer signings Matheus Fernandes, Soungoutou Magassa and the longer-serving Lucas Paqueta, could offer West Ham's midfield the creativity and dynamism it has needed for some time. Based on his performance against Newcastle, Potts could be set for a breakout season with his boyhood club.